The Classics Hit The Road Again

Driving conditions being what they are in the Philippines, one would be forgiven in demanding every sort of driver convenience and safety feature that modern technology (and personal budget) allows. But in the Visayas region, there is a yearly gathering of individuals brave enough to throw caution to the winds, in cars that were made before half of today’s Pinoy drivers were even born.

If you want to join this elite breed, then you’ll have to rough it behind the wheel. That means no airbags, cruise control, or side impact beams. Power steering? Forget it. You might as well throw traction control and sophisticated in-dash entertainment out the window. Even the prospect of airconditioning is a bit dodgy, with some cars not having so much as a roof over your head. But in lieu of these, your drive will feature three days and two nights of scenic beauty, teeth-clenching grit, awe-inspiring history and dogged passion (or stubbornness, depending on how you look at it). If all these haven’t dampened your spirits yet, then start your engines for the 2017 Tour de Cebu, launched at the recently concluded 2017 TransSport Show at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Start your engines for the 2017 Tour de Cebu, launched at the recently concluded 2017 TransSport Show at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City
 

Now on its fourth year, the Tour is an annual and historic touristic rally spanning 1,000 kilometers on scenic roads across the Visayas region. It was inspired by the reborn “Mille Miglia” or Thousand Miles, a regularity race in Italy where drivers are judged according to how they drive in a certain time at a certain speed over a given distance (the original Mille Miglia was an open-road endurance race which ran from 1927 to 1957). As a time-speed-distance or TSD rally, each leg of the race must be finished in a predefined time instead of the fastest time possible; arriving at the checkpoint early or late will result in penalties either way, and the race will be won by the driver with the fewest penalties incurred. The focus here is not so much on speed, but precision.

The focus here is not so much on speed, but precision
 

This year’s event will be held on October 20 to 22, kicking off at the SM Seaside City Mall in Cebu. The public will have the chance to meet and greet this year’s participating drivers and co-drivers (some of whom are celebrities and media personalities) at the classic car exhibit, with the ceremonial race flag-off coinciding with SM’s annual Gear and Glam fashion event.
What ensues next is a ride along one thousand kilometers of scenic roads in Bohol (where the Tour was successfully held last year), as man and machine do their best to complete each course and win the race, basking in history as well as promoting the region’s natural beauty. Both driver and navigator must work together to overcome various obstacles and challenges as detailed in the Road Book, covering an average distance of 300 kilometers for each day of the race. Around 50 participants, a mix of local and international drivers, are expected to take part in the Tour.

This year’s event will be held on October 20 to 22, kicking off at the SM Seaside City Mall in Cebu
 

While all eligible drivers with sound mind and body are welcome to join, the age requirement for their mechanical entries is much stricter; only car models manufactured no later than December 31, 1972 can be entered in the race. Run-off cars are allowed, defined as those built on or before 1972 despite having a production run exceeding that year. Each vehicle will undergo meticulous examination by the Tour’s Grand Marshall, scrutinizing details such as authenticity, period correctness, mechanical condition and overall road-worthiness before being given the green light to compete.

 The public will have the chance to meet and greet this year’s participating drivers and co-drivers 

Previous seasons of the Tour have featured classics from European staples Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW and Jaguar as well as Japanese favorites Toyota and Datsun, navigating the enchanting tourist spots of Negros, Dumaguete, Bacolod and San Carlos. This year’s edition promises to be no different, as the vintage stars are still capable of showing the newer models how things were done back in the day, which could well be the secret to their enduring performance. Even the locals get in on the fever, lining up the race path and cheering the participants as they drive by in their timeless machines towards completing the various legs.  

From L-R: Mr. Kenneth Cobonpue, Mr. Chris Tio and Mr. Pepon Marave
 

Interested in knowing more about this year’s Tour? Contact Trade Show International, Inc. at 571-7551 or 234-5452. You can also drop them an email at tourdecebu@gmail.com.
 
The 2017 Tour de Cebu is organized by Performance And Classics Enthusiasts (PACE) of Cebu, the Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC) and Trade Show International, Inc. (TSI), and is sponsored by Pirelli. Official venue partner is the BE Grand Resort Hotel Bohol, with support from Petron and Michel Motorsport.

The founders, organizers and partners of Tour De Cebu

TOUR DE CEBU 2016 | BOHOL NEW