Bacolod racers zoom past drag race record

CLARK, Pampanga — Racers from Bacolod City made motorsports history as they broke a 12-year front-wheel-drive record in the opening leg of the 2026 National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) at Clark International Speedway over the weekend.

Mark Yanson, Carlo Tinsay and United States-based Omar Crespo competed against nearly 100 entries from across the country in the season-opening NDRC event to clock an official time of 8.824 seconds in the 400-meter sprint that shattered the national mark set in 2014.

Crespo, who represents Area 51 Car Racers and is based in Orlando, Florida, is a respected drag racer and high-performance vehicle tuner in the international racing circuit. His involvement provided key tuning expertise that helped the Bacolod racers secure the record-breaking run.

The effort was also backed by Leo Rey Yanson, sports patron and chairman of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies, whose support proved instrumental in the team’s campaign.

“We’re humbled and proud,” Yanson and Tinsay said.

“This record is not just ours — it belongs to Bacolod. Getting an official Philippine record is a dream come true.”

Although the Bacolod racers will not compete in the remaining legs of the NDRC season, their primary objective was to secure an official Philippine record — a goal they successfully achieved.

“Seeing Bacolod achieve an official record makes me truly happy,” Leo Rey said.

“It’s a testament to the dedication, skill, and teamwork of these young racers.”

Winners in the NDRC are determined through a combination of outright speed, bracket racing, the Quick 8 shoot out among the fastest cars, and official Philippine records.

The Bacolod racers’ performance specifically reset the national benchmark for front-wheel-drive drag racing, ending a record drought that lasted more than a decade.

The achievement is also expected to further boost Bacolod City’s growing presence in the Philippine drag racing scene.