BLU CRU Junior Cup Leading the Charge as Yamaha Grand Prix Returns

The Yamaha Grand Prix officially made its long-awaited return to the Philippine racing calendar as Leg 1 concluded at Tarlac Circuit Hill, marking the revival of one of the country’s most important grassroots motorsports platforms. After years away, the series immediately reaffirmed its significance by delivering a full weekend of competitive, multi-category racing that united young riders, club racers, and seasoned competitors under one banner.

At the center of the weekend’s action was the R15M BLU CRU Junior Cup, where the next generation of Filipino road racers were tested in a professional one-make racing environment. Knox Pantaleon took victory in Race 1 with a composed performance, followed by Ronald King Mangosong and Albert Geronimo, while Race 2 saw Rand Erwin Bergania emerge on top, with Mangosong once again finishing second and Pantaleon completing the podium. Beyond the results, the Junior Cup provided valuable race experience for a deep field of young riders, reinforcing Yamaha’s commitment to long-term rider development.

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Club racing and one-make categories delivered equally intense competition throughout the weekend. The Sniper YClub Race saw Cristian Mirasol and Mark Philip Mendizabal trade victories across two races, while Kevin Foronda consistently secured podium finishes. In the Aerox YClub Race, Anrich Gavin Farin dominated both races, showcasing strong pace and control against a competitive field. These battles highlighted the depth of talent within Yamaha’s racing community.

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The importance of equal machinery was further emphasized in the one-make categories. Rand Erwin Bergania claimed victory in the Sniper 155 One-Make Race, followed by JM Malonzo and Shan Espedilla, while the Aerox SP One-Make Race saw Renzzy Vigo take the win ahead of Malonzo and Jasper Castro. These races underlined the Yamaha Grand Prix’s role in developing rider skill through closely matched competition.

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The weekend concluded with the Yamaha Grand Prix Underbone Limited GP, where Timothy Rojas secured the win, followed by Nedy Duran and Renzzy Vigo. With Leg 1 complete, the Yamaha Grand Prix has firmly reestablished itself as a complete racing ecosystem—combining grassroots development, club racing, and high-level competition. As the series moves forward, anticipation builds for the next legs of the championship, where points, progression, and pressure will continue to define the season ahead.