Joseph Rodriguez of 4Wheelers Davao dominated Philippine Tough Truck Challenge (PTTC) 2019, the culminating race of this year’s MAXXIS 4×4 Cup Extreme Off-road Challenge, organized annually by the National Association of Filipino Off-roaders (NAsFOR). Named 2019 Driver of the Year, Rodriguez bested 28 of the country’s top extreme off-roaders enroute to winning the final and biggest race of the racing season.
Fellow Mindanao racers Euane Evangelista of Digos 4Wheelers and Christian John “CJ” Doyon of Ormoc 4Wheelers bagged the second and third places, respectively. PTTC 2019 was held in Tieza, Brgy. Malubog, Cebu City and was hosted by the Cebu Overland Club and Jeep Owners Club Cebu.
Rodriguez bagged his first NASFOR Driver of the Year (DOY) Award after a nearly flawless performance in the final race of the season, fending off his closest rival, 2013 and 2014 Driver of the Year Edison “Tonton” Dungca of the Kapampangan Racing Team.
Rodriguez, a consistent podium placer of the 2019 racing season, won five of the cup’s 12 racing legs.
The MAXXIS 4×4 Cup Extreme Off-road Challenge is an annual motorsport event co-presented by North Trend Marketing Corporation, the official distributor of MAXXIS Tires in the Philippines.
“We at North Trend congratulate Joseph Rodriguez and all the racers who participated in this year’s 4×4 cup. We are happy to see passionate motorsport athletes conquer the tough obstacle courses with the help of our top-of-the-line tires such as the M9060 Mud Trepador and MT772 Razr MT. Trust that we shall continue to bring more powerful and efficient tires to help boost every Filipino racer’s drive,” shares North Trend Marketing Corporation Chief Operating Officer Ronald Ang.
PTTC 2019 was also supported by 199 Off-roadhouse, FCC Trading, AEG Powertools, Racetech 4×4 Suspensions, TRE 4×4 and Mobil Lubricants. “We are very happy with the support that our sponsors have extended this year, especially with what was given by the title sponsor MAXXIS,” NAsFOR Events Director Ramon Toong shares. “With our combined networks, we were able to bring this unique and exciting competition to more Filipinos.”
The partnership between MAXXIS Tires and NAsFOR for the annual off-roading challenge started in 2013. Since then, MAXXIS has delivered tough off-road tires to racers who dare brave the motorsport event. “We are very appreciative of the consistent support Maxxis Tires Philippines extends to the competition,” adds NAsFOR President Reynan Jayme. “With their help, extreme 4×4 racing has grown in the country.”