2025 Philippine Masters Race Report

Press Release From Asian Buggy Championships:
www.asianbuggychamps.com

Japan’s Kouki Kato has driven his Inf1nity to the biggest Off-Road win of his career, capturing the 2025 Philippine Masters Nitro Buggy win. Starting the week by topping the first round of Seeding Practice, Kato was flawless today in hot, blustery conditions that took a toll on his chief rivals, Davide Ongaro and Burak Kilic.

For Kato, it’s not only a triumph this week, but just rewards for a tremendous amount of hard work over the last 2 years, running in multiple categories both in Japan and internationally. This week marked his second appearance and second win in the Asian Buggy Championship, having won Round 4 at Jakarta’s West Side Raceway in 2024. It was a popular win for the likeable 18-year-old, and we are very sure it won’t be his last. Here, on a hot Sunday afternoon in Manila, just perhaps a new star was born.

Behind him, the A-final turned into something of a race of attrition, conditions stressing cars and drivers alike. Burak Kilic and Davide Ongaro put on a thrilling first 15 minutes, Kilic the first to falter as he ran dry on the cusp of his second fuel stop. That left Ongaro in a comfortable lead, but one that wouldn’t last – electrical troubles taking the defending champion out of the running.

And so, the pattern of the race was set from the midway point – Kato out front, while behind a relentless battle continued between 2024 series winner Christian Wolhuter, EP Buggy podium finisher Pekko Iivonen, and the fast-finishing Italian, Mattia Polito, as others (notably Ryan Lutz and Noato Matsukura) also struck trouble. Wolhuter would come out on top, only after Iivonen snuck past at the final fuel stop, but then ran dry with a lap to run. Polito got around the Pekko’s stranded Mayako, himself running dry on his very final tour – but having done enough by that point to reach the podium. It was an impressive run from Polito on his first visit to Manila.

It's worth noting the result of 14-year-old Hyunkyu Jung as well, the Korean teenager looking every bit at home in this classy field. His is a name we’ll definitely hear more of as he builds experience.

Earlier, Dino Jacinto and Jamil Dela Cruz joined Jackson Beale in bumping into the A final – an achievement that delighted to local crowd. Even on home soil, to line up against a field of the quality seen this week is no easy feat. Congrats to both Dino and Jamil.

EP BUGGY: ONGARO IN A TIE-BREAKER
Davide Ongaro has defended his EP Buggy crown here at the Masters, just. He put together a flawless run to win A2 this morning, fending off A1 winner Pekko Iivonen. Crucially, as it happened, his winning time was a fraction quicker than that A1 time of Iivonen.

In this afternoon’s third race, Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz finally did what he’d looked capable of all week – a clean start and pace that only Iivonen could live with. Pekko closed at the death, knowing he needed a win to overcome Ongaro’s tie-breaker advantage, but it was not to be. Ongaro then, from Iivonen and Lutz in the overall.

MASTERS 45+ NITRO: JEON RUNS AWAY
Tony Jeon was too good for a strong Masters field, fending off Edward Sio and Ben Panic before building a good lead he’d not give up. Edward and Ben battled hard, as the good friends always do. The pair would swap positions a few times, Sio in second as the flag fell.

JUNIOR: TEAM KOREA GO 1-2!
We’ve said it before, and will say it again. The combination of talent, determination, and adrenaline in a Junior final means they are always exciting, and one of our favourite moments of any Asian Buggy Championship event. Yujun Jang and Donghwan Kim made it a 1-2 for Korea in what was a typically entertaining Junior race. TJ Craperi and Yansen Wijaya also took turns up front, but down the stretch, it was Jang that was just too good, sneaking away to a 6-second win over Kim, with Craperi another four back at the end.

Huge thanks to everybody for being with us in person or online this week. And in particular, our appreciation to Edward Sio, Ricky Tangan, and the whole team from Circulo Verde and Dogbone RC.

It’s been amazing!

One final, heartfelt thanks to the industry partners who have helped bring this event to life. To our title sponsor Team Cayote, and to Inf1nityofficial, XRAY VP-Pro Team a huge thanks. To JConcepts Inc Tekno RC Coast2coastrc Mach-1 RC Products Sweep Racing Sparko Racing Power HD Jetko Power Hotrace Tyres Factory SWORKz RC SpeedyRC Online Store, your support of the Asian Buggy Championship in 2025 is what makes this possible.