The Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX) and the Philippine National Rally Championship (PNRC) held their 2024 season awards ceremony on March 14, 2025, at Oriental Palace in Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City. The event honored the top finishers in each category, recognizing their skill, endurance, and dedication to one of the most challenging motorsport disciplines in the country.
As the only rally events sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), the PHRX and PNRC remain the premier rally competitions in the Philippines, aiming not only to recognize top drivers but also to expand the sport by attracting new participants to the world of rally racing.
Recognizing the Best in Philippine Rallying
The 2024 PHRX and PNRC saw intense competition across multiple categories. The champions in each division were:
Group 1
1st – Caloy Calica
2nd – Ricxie Dela Cruz
3rd – Rolando Tecson
Group 2
1st – Louie Camacho
2nd – Paul Santos
3rd – Peewee Mendiola
Group 3
1st – Louie Camacho
2nd – Paul Santos
3rd – Ricardo Dy-Liacco
Group 4
1st – Paul Santos
2nd – Ricardo Dy-Liacco
3rd – Peewee Mendiola
Open Class
1st – Mike Reyes
2nd – Paolo Santos
3rd – Ricardo Dy-Liacco
AWD Class
1st – Mike Reyes
2nd – Paolo Santos
3rd – Ralph Ramento
UV Class
1st – Louie Camacho
2nd – DJ De Guzman
3rd – Aven Tongo
RWD Class
1st – EZ Ligaya
2nd – Devor Andres
3rd – Jun Magno
Pickup Class
1st – Louie Camacho
2nd – Aven Tongo
3rd – Boboy Rabe
Novice Class
1st – Ricardo Dy-Liacco
2nd – Aven Tongo
3rd – Ricxie Dela Cruz
Ladies Class
1st – Gabbie Desales
2nd – Pauline Bautista
3rd – Hazel Ramirez
A Year of Thrilling Rally Action
The 2024 PHRX season consisted of seven rounds, held at Parklinks in Pasig City, the CCP Complex in Pasay City, and the Arden Botanical Garden in Trece Martires, Cavite. The CCP and Arden rounds were full-dirt rallycross events, while Pasig featured a mix of tarmac and dirt, creating a varied and unpredictable competition. Each 2-kilometer rally course tested the drivers’ adaptability and skill, with both day and night races adding to the challenge.
The PNRC championship, on the other hand, consisted of three rounds, each testing competitors with demanding rally conditions. The “Kagitingan Rally” in Capas, Tarlac, included 12 special stages over 49 kilometers of gravel and dirt roads. Next came the “Unang Sigaw Rally,” which featured 55 kilometers of tough terrain divided into eight special stages. The season wrapped up with the “Rally Nueva Ecija 2—Tribute to Jun Espino,” where drivers faced 10 special stages spanning 50 kilometers of rugged dirt and gravel tracks.
The 2025 Season: A Bigger, More Ambitious Calendar
As the PHRX and PNRC continue to grow, the 2025 season is set to be even bigger, with seven rounds of the rallycross series and four rounds of the national rally championship.
For the national rally championships, two rounds will be held in Nueva Ecija, one in Cavite, and a historic first inter-island rally will be held in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.
Meanwhile, the rallycross series will build upon last year’s success by holding seven rounds, ensuring more thrilling competition and testing drivers across longer and more complex rally stages.
According to race organizers Olson Camacho and Ronnie Trinidad, these expansions are aimed at bringing rally racing to more regions in the country, growing its fanbase, and providing new and seasoned drivers more opportunities to compete.
Reviving the Glory Days of Philippine Rallying
Now in its 10th year, the PHRX and PNRC continue their mission to revive rally racing in the Philippines, a sport that flourished in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Unlike circuit racing, where drivers compete on smooth, controlled tracks, rally driving takes place on gravel, mud, dirt, and tarmac, making it one of the most dynamic and unpredictable motorsports,” said Camacho. He emphasized that the combination of speed, technical driving, and teamwork between the driver and co-driver makes rally racing a true test of skill and endurance.
Enticing New Drivers and Ensuring Safety with Driver Training
To attract more participants to the sport, the PHRX organizers will be offering driver training programs focusing on rally driving fundamentals, car control, pace notes, and navigation techniques. This initiative aims to develop new talent in a safe and structured environment, ensuring that more drivers can experience the excitement of rallying with proper guidance.
The organizers also extend their gratitude to the AAP for its full support, ensuring that all rally events meet international safety and competition standards. Their continued involvement reassures both new and experienced competitors that they are racing in a well-regulated and professionally managed championship.
The Future of Philippine Rallying
With the expansion of race venues, more competitive rounds, and structured driver training programs, the PHRX and PNRC are confident that rally racing in the Philippines will continue to grow.
With AAP support, strong sponsor backing, and an engaged media presence, the Philippine rally scene is poised for a resurgence, ensuring that the next generation of drivers can experience the thrill of rally racing in a safe and competitive environment.
As the PHRX and PNRC continue their mission, rally enthusiasts and drivers alike can expect more action, more challenges, and a bigger stage for Philippine rally racing in 2025 and beyond.