Subic International Raceway
Subic International Raceway was a racing circuit at the Subic Freeport Zone in the Philippines. It was built in 1993, through the efforts of famed race car driver Pocholo Ramirez.[1]
| Location | Bataan, Philippines |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+08:00 |
| Coordinates | 14°47′52″N 120°16′26″E |
| Operator | Sports Values Inc. |
| Broke ground | 1993 |
| Opened | 1994 |
| Closed | July 2010 |
| Major events | Asian F3 Series (2003–2004) Asian Touring Car Series (2000–2002) Formula Asia (2001) Asia Road Racing Championship (1997) |
| Full Circuit (2009–2010) | |
| Length | 2.900 km (1.802 miles) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Full Circuit (2005–2008) | |
| Turns | 10 |
| Full Circuit (2002–2004) | |
| Length | 3.000 km (1.864 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:11.014 ( John O'Hara, Dallara F303, 2004, F3) |
| Full Circuit (1994–2001) | |
| Length | 2.800 km (1.740 miles) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:20.808 ( Karun Chandhok, Argo Formula Asia, 2001, Formula Asia) |
| Short Circuit (1994–2001) | |
| Length | 0.800 km (0.497 miles) |
| Turns | 6 |
History
The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 led to the United States abandoning their base in Subic. The Subic International Raceway was established at the site of the former Naval Air Station Cubi Point's refuelling area for fighter jets. Former Filipino race car driver Pocholo Ramirez with the help of other figures in Philippine racing including Mandy Eduque, Mike Potenciano, Macky Carapiet, Louis Camus, Freddy Masigan set up Sports Values Incorporated (SVI) so that they could convert the existing paved roads and taxiways into a racing circuit.
The Subic International Raceway was opened in 1994[2] with SVI initially only able to secure a three month lease for the racing circuit's site. The lease was extended multiple times during the racing circuit's 17-year operation.[3]
It gained approval from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) in 1997 and secured a grade four Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) license in 1998 which certified the racing circuit's suitability for international automotive and motorcycle races including the Asian Touring Car Series and Formula 3 races. The racing circuit was also open to amateur racers.[3]
Subic Bay has hosted South East Asia's Premier motorcycle, touring car and formula car events. The Marlboro Asia Pacific Road Racing Championship, Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) featuring the Southeast Asian Touring Car Zone Challenge (SEATCZC) and the Asian Formula 2000 have all raced here, and it also hosts the Asian 1600 Touring Car Invitational Cup, the Philippine Japan Invitational Historic Car Races and the Hong Kong Classic Car Races. The major visitor to the track today is the Asian F3 Series.
The racing circuit closed in July 2010[3] with the three-day "The Last Lap" held as the last racing event.[4]
Racing track
At the time of its closure, the Subic International Raceway had a total length of 2.900 km (1.802 mi) with 15 turns. It had long straights that allowed for a long and short circuit setup.[3]
Lap records
The official race lap records at the Subic International Raceway are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circuit: 3.000 km (2002–2004) | ||||
| F3 | 1:11.014[5] | John O'Hara | Dallara F303[6] | 2004 Subic Asian F3 round |
| Full Circuit: 2.800 km (1994–2001) | ||||
| Formula Asia | 1:20.808[7] | Karun Chandhok | Argo Formula Asia | 2001 Subic Formula Asia round |
| Super 2000 | 1:28.278[8] | Lam Wai Hung | Alfa Romeo 156 | 2001 Subic ATCC round |
References
- Pinky Concha Colmenares (20 March 2009). "Pocholo Ramirez, the Racing Legend". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
- "Subic raceway closes, but owner eyes more international races". Balita. Philippine News Agency. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- Roces, Iñgo (16 August 2010). "The Last Lap of Subic Raceway". Auto Industriya. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
- Osis, Roderick (28 August 2010). "Anton scores win in 'the Last Lap' Subic race anew". Sun Star. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- "Race No. 2: Round 3 Date: 30 May 2004 Track: Subic Int. (3,000 km)". Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- "John O'Hara - Driver Database". Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- "2001 Asian F2000 Round 1: Subic International Raceway, Philippines 7-8 April 2001 Race 1 Result". Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- "2001 Asian Touring Car Championship Subic International Raceway, Philippines 7 April 2001, Round 1, Race 1 Division One". Retrieved 14 January 2023.
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