The STRADA CLUB of the Philippines Joins 2012 IRONMAN CHALLENGE

**locoroco777** · February 27th, 2012 07:38 PM

I know this is long overdue but I still opted to post this for archiving purposes of the Milestones of the CLUB and to give courtesy as well to the place where we all started

Repost from KOTSE.com After riding 24 hours non-stop on a 1,200 gruelling kilometer loop around Luzon, only 160 of the 250 starters successfully crossed the finished line on January 15, 2012 at the 7th edition of the BOSS Ironman Challenge. Organized by the BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS), the only club in the Philippines recognized by the BMW Clubs International Council, the Ironman Challenge is not a race, but there is undeniably an unspoken achievement to finish at the final stop in first. Still, finishing the 1,200 kilometer jounrney proves to be equally satisfying.

The Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles and BMW Motorrad in the Philippines, awarded the finishers of the challenge. In the car category, Elbert Cuenca in a diesel powered BMW X1 was the first to reach the destination with a total time of 14 hours and 19 minutes - a welcome improvement over his second place finish last year in a gasoline powered X1. Meanwhile, Joey Almeda, Enteng Gonzales, Max Kienle, Hubert Soriano, and Nani Pascoguin were the first four riders to arrive in the motorcycle category. All four men were riding BMW R1200 GS Adventure's, except for Nani who was on a S1000 RR.

The annual gathering began is 2006 as a pure motorcycle event, but eventually opened up to car entries after gaining popularity. The ride started from the Balintawak Home Depot with several checkpoints through Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Isabela, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Baguio, Pangasinan, Tarlac before finally ending in the Stotsenberg Hotel in Clark, Pampanga.

“There are neither trophies given nor rankings announced, but to successfully be named a BOSS Ironman is a priceless feat. It’s a display of endurance and impeccable riding/driving techniques. It is no surprise after all that among the 250 entries, only 160 made it to the final destination,” said Teng Sorreta, BOSS Ironman Challenge VII Committee Chairman.

Special awards were also presented to exceptional participants who finished the challenge.

Long Distance Award: For riding all the way from Ormoc, Leyte to participate and consequently finish in the 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge VII
Victor Espina Jr.
Luis Alfonso Fran Jr.

Ironfamily Award: For having the most family member participate and consequently finish in the 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge VII
The Tuscano Brothers

Biggest Automobile Group Award: For having the biggest automobile group to participate and consequently finish in the 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge VII
The Strada Club

Lonely Driver Award: For being the only participant without a passenger/navigator in the automobile category to participate and consequently finish in the 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge VII
Raymond Figuerres Jr.

Iron Couple Award: For participating and consequently finishing in the 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge VII as husband and wife
Rami Villavicencio and Guinevere Villavicencio
Guillermo Nadunop and Mary Ann Nadunop (from TSCP also)

Group of 20 Award: For successfully starting and finishing as a group of twenty, within twenty four hours in the 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge VII
CLUB PK (spearheaded by their President, Jotle Viray)

The BOSS Ironman Challenge VII is sponsorsed by Flying V, St. Peter Life Plans, Touratech, Dupont, Hotel Stotsenberg, Destiny Air Cargo, GNC, Motospray, Givi, Motoworld, Vigan Kite Center, and Motorcycle Philippines.

from TOPGEAR.com.ph Asian Carmakers Corporation, the Philippine importer and distributor of BMW cars and motorcycles, has handed out the awards to the top finishers in the recent 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge, which featured a grueling 1,200km loop around Luzon that the participants needed to finish in 24 hours. Out of the 250 car drivers and motorcycle riders who joined the challenge, only 160 successfully finished.

The event is organized annually by BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS), the only motorcycle club in the Philippines recognized by the BMW Clubs International Council. It began in 2006 as a motorcycle event, but eventually allowed car owners to participate.

This year, the route started at the Balintawak Home Depot with several checkpoints through Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Isabela, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Baguio, Pangasinan and Tarlac, before finally ending in Stotsenberg Hotel in Clark, Pampanga. Organizers insist this event is not a race--in spite of the fatal accidents involving competitors in previous years.

"BMW is proud to support the 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge, and we hope all the participants had a joyful riding experience," said ACC executive director Glen Dasig. "It is a commendable event that provides the opportunity for riders and drivers to test their skills and endurance while keeping safe riding and driving in mind."

According to 2012 BOSS Ironman Challenge VII committee chairman Teng Sorreta, "there are neither trophies given nor rankings announced, but to successfully be named a BOSS Ironman is a priceless feat. It’s a display of endurance and impeccable riding/driving techniques."

From the press statement: "Although the event is not a race, there is an unspoken satisfaction in being able to arrive at the final stop the earliest. This year, first to finish in the car category was Elbert Cuenca with a diesel-powered BMW X1, with a time of 14 hours and 19 minutes. In the motorcycle category, Joey Almeda, Enteng Gonzales, Max Kienle, Hubert Soriano and Nani Pascoguin arrived early at Stotsenberg Hotel. The first four riders were on a BMW R1200 GS Adventure, while Pascoguin rode a BMW S1000 RR.

The event, by the way, welcomes non-BMW cars and motorcycles.

The following fun awards were given to exceptional participants of this year's event:

LONG DISTANCE AWARD: Victor Espina Jr. and Luis Alfonso Fran Jr., for riding all the way from Ormoc, Leyte, to participate and finish

IRON FAMILY AWARD: The Tuscano Brothers, for having the most family members participate and finish

BIGGEST AUTOMOBILE GROUP AWARD: The Strada Club Pilipinas, for having the biggest automobile group to participate and finish

LONELY DRIVER AWARD: Raymond Figuerres Jr., for being the only participant without a passenger or navigator in the automobile category to participate and finish

IRON COUPLE AWARD: Rami Villavicencio and Guinevere Villavicencio, and Guillermo Nadunop and Mary Ann Nadunop, for participating and finishing as husband and wife

GROUP OF 20 AWARD: CLUB PK, led by president Jotle Viray, for successfully starting and finishing as a group of 20

Here are the Pictures Courtesy of TGP

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...5679186&type=1

heres the video...