The Wonder Boy Marks Return to Philippine Racing with IRGPXVI Victory

McKinley Kyle Paz inspired many Filipino riders and racing fans with his local achievements, FIM Asia Road Racing Championship underbone title and racing stint in the FIM CEV Moto2 and FIM Junior GP Championship in Europe. It was thrilling to see him race and win in the Philippines again as he had a superb showing in the Alpinestars IRGPXVI YSS Suspension Open Underbone Grand Prix.

The said category was highly anticipated as it featured top underbone racers in the country with some competing in the FIM ARRC as well as Indonesian racer Wawan Wello who is also a prominent figure in the continental championship.

Paz meant business right from the qualifying as he clinched P1 and he greatly capitalized on it come race day. The Wonder Boy masterfully rode his Yamaha Sniper to the checkered flag to the cheers of his fans, team and family. Because of his win, Yamaha Motor Philippines got the MDAP Manufacturer’s Award, Yamaha Philippines was hailed as the Best Team and his mechanic Jimuel Francisco was given recognition. Paz was also the rider to submit the best lap time in the 15-lap race. It was indeed a battle of underbone greats in the GP class for intermediate and expert racers and Paz proved once again why he was the 2019 ARRC UB150 champion.

YSS Suspension Open Underbone GP winners

McKinley Kyle Paz

John Emerson Inguito of 4S1M EVO Yamaha who has been racing in the ARRC UB150 category for years now crossed the finish line second while April King Mascardo, another ARRC rider of Yamaha Philippines placed third. Mascardo was the third overall in the 2022 ARRC UB150 class.

John Emerson Inguito

April King Mascardo

Fourth to finish the race was Dustin Esguerra of Faito KOSO Denoo DE69 while Robert Ryan Espiritu of Super RR placed fifth. Sumulong 4S1M KC99 rider Kerwin Chang was sixth to cross the finish line ARRC. Chang had ARRC UB150 racing experience years ago and competed in the TVS Asia One Make Championship of the ARRC in 2023. Placing seventh was Jakob Sablaya of Honda Project M KOBY followed by Gian Carlo Mauricio of Yamaha Philippines who is also currently competing in the ARRC UB150 class, Ephraim Onahon of Honda SCK Philippines KOBY and Mario Borbon Jr. of Dad’s Garage 4S1M. Wawan Wello of Pitsbike JRT and Vrei-ar Suba of CRA SEC Motosupply Pitsbike both had a strong start and were in the lead pack of the race before suffering from race bike problems. Suba was out after Lap 6 while Wello retired fom the race after Lap 12.

Dustin Esguerra

Robert Ryan Espiritu

Kerwin Chang

Jakob Sablaya

Gian Carlo Mauricio

Ephraim Onahon

Mario Borbon Jr.

Wawan Wello

Vrei-ar Suba

Faito KOSO Denoo DE69 bagged another title in IRGPXVI courtesy of Trahvys Paralejas in the YSS Suspension Open Underbone Trophy category for beginner and novice riders. Paralejas from Binangonan, Rizal had a remarkable 2023 wherein he champed in the Motul MotoIR Youth Cup Senior class and a won a divisional title in the MotoIR Championship.

YSS Suspension Open Underbone Trophy winners

Trahvys Paralejas

Nedy Duran of Dad’s Garage 4S1M finished second in the Trophy category while Rain del Mundo of RnD racing team secured the last podium spot. Mark Dustine Oliveros of Polytron AZM Motorsport 4DPRO placed fourth while Dad’s Garage 4S1M rider Roger Solis was not able to finish the race.

Nedy Duran

Rain del Mundo

Mark Dustine Oliveros

Roger Solis

YSS from Thailand is a trusted brand of riders and teams around the world. Established in 1983, YSS provides suspension products for cars, motorcycles, ATVs/UTVs, scooters and special purposes. YSS is a trusted name both in racing and daily motorcycling.

YSS Suspension Masters Trophy Champion – John Emerson Inguito. The award is given to the highest finishing 24-year-old and above rider in the Open Underbone class of the IRGP.

This was published in InsideRACING Magazine Issue 211.

Thank you for visiting insideracing.com.ph. While you are here, kindly don’t forget to click on our advertiser ads above, visit their site and consider them for your motorcycling needs. It will help us a lot.

You can also order a copy of our monthly print magazine for more riding contents to read and enjoy at your leisure anytime by clicking here.

You may also express your thought below through the comment section. You may also follow us on Facebook, on Instagram @Insideracingnation or subscribe to our YouTube channel.