“Wala sa pana ‘yan, nasa Indian! [It’s not in the bow and arrow, but in the Indian!]”

This old saying rang true for Richard Gallardo, who still snagged the Overall title at Round 5 of this season’s Philippine Autocross Championship Series (PACS) on April 2023, despite not having his trusty Honda Civic EF by his side.

For this round, Gallardo shared the driver’s seat with Don Pablo Abadicio and his bright yellow Honda Civic EG. The former bagged the top spot with a total time of 1:23.97.

Rounding up the Overall podium was J.C. Ocampo in 2nd Place with his SOHC Honda Civic EG, timing in just a blink of an eye slower at 1:23.98. Taking 3rd Place was Nat Mendoza in his 1300 Toyota Vios with a 1:26.51.

Young PACS veteran Mendoza continued to impress that night, beating out vastly more powerful machines to win 1st Place in D.B.S. Class, named in memory of the late PACS founder Danny Santiago.

Mendoza edged out Novice Overall contender Arnold Javier in his Honda Civic SIR, with the former clocking in a 1:28.31 and the latter finishing with a 1:29.25. Ocampo rounded out the D.B.S. Class with a 1:30.25.

Despite Gallardo’s best efforts, it was PACS veteran Gen Colina who emerged victorious in the Open Overall stakes. Colina, in his famous red Toyota Corolla Big Body, clinched the win with a 1:23.65, which was also the Best Time of the Day.

Taking 2nd Place in Open Overall was Abadicio in his Civic, with a time of 1:29.26. In 3rd Place was Glendel Cuento, who finished with a 1:29.84 in his near-stock 1500 Toyota Yaris.

And finally, in the Novice Overall category, J.C. Ocampo dominated the field with 1:23.98. Meanwhile, Javier got 2nd Place with a 1:28.78, with Cuento close behind, finishing with a 1:29.49.

The sixth round of the 2023 Philippine Autocross Championship will be on June 25, 2023 at the Meycauayan Commercial Complex in Bulacan.

PACS will also kick off its Southern Series this year, which will primarily cater to racers in Mindanao.

Learn more about PACS by visiting or messaging its official Facebook page.

Who do you think will emerge victorious in PACS 2023?

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