DRAG RACING IN PHILIPPINES

The rapid increase in motorcycle and scooter ownership (because of its relatively cheap and easy way to purchase one) also encouraged the growth of illegal motorcycle street racing in the Philippines. Scooters of 125 cc displacement (notably the Honda XRM) are modified for performance, or simply strip it to its bare bones, even fitting engines from more powerful motorcycles like the Honda TMX, for the sake of racing. These races are often done in the Mat Rempit style. Honda noticed this trend, hence prompting them to release the Honda Bravo.[citation needed] Races are usually held at night on highways with long straights. While modification for the sake of aesthetics (concourse d'elegance) is legal in the Philippines, drag races are illegal and are being stopped by authorities. These drag races are, however, being dampened by sanctioned races sponsored by big companies. Some illegal racing involving 50cc scooters happened as early as the 1990s until it was officially sanctioned.

Automobile street racing existed in the Philippines as early as the 1970s and was brought back then became widespread in the late 1990s. It is held mostly in the main highways of Metro Manila in areas such as Sucat, Greenhills, Macapagal, C5 road and Marcos Highway as well as Sta. Rosa, Laguna, which is south of Manila. Accidents resulting from illegal street racing in these areas prompted authorities to heighten police presence, impose stricter fines and impound vehicles. Honda cars, most notably the Civic SiR, are a favorite among Filipino street racers. These cars are sometimes transplanted with bigger displacement engines (in the case of the Civic SiR, they are given engines from the Honda Civic Type R). Other cars such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Toyota MR2 and the Nissan Sentra are also used, as well as high performance cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza. Car enthusiasts took these illegal races to the strip and organizations such as PDRF (Philippine Drag Racing Federation) was formed to promote drag racing.