Koronadal City sets 2 new Guinness world records

A total of 3,336 motorcycle riders converged along a stretch of the main highway here and joined the world record attempts for the “most number of motorcycle engines started simultaneously and motorcycle horns sounded simultaneously”. (Photo: Philippine News Agency)

KORONADAL CITY–Thundering roars of running motorcycle engines and blowing horns hovered over the main commercial area here for about a minute on Saturday morning as the city achieved its historic bid to set two new Guinness world records.

A total of 3,336 motorcycle riders converged along a stretch of the main highway here and joined the world record attempts for the “most number of motorcycle engines started simultaneously and motorcycle horns sounded simultaneously”.

The participants, composed of visiting and local motorcycle enthusiasts, lined up in clusters from the city’s roundball area, occupying more than a kilometer of the General Santos Drive here.

Taking cues from City Mayor Peter Miguel, the riders at the same time started their engines at around 10:20 a.m. and later sounded their horns simultaneously.

“This is a historic day for the city and a great achievement for the people of Koronadal and the entire Region 12,” Miguel said after the world record attempts.

The event was witnessed by thousands of residents and visitors, and was streamed live through the city’s website.

Three representatives from Guinness World Records also witnessed the event and assisted the documentation process.

Footage of the event and other necessary documents will be sent to Guinness for evaluation, said City Information Officer Judith Amido.

A decision on the two world record attempts may be issued after five days, she said.

The city government earlier paid around P850,000 to Guinness to facilitate the world record bid.

Miguel expressed confidence over the city’s chances of getting the official declaration from Guinness over the two attempts.

He noted that the actual turnout was more than enough to break the previous records set by Yamaha Philippine in June 2014.

“The total registered participants reached 3,336. That’s way higher than our original target of 2,500,” he said.

More than achieving the new Guinness records, the mayor said the city has succeeded in “promoting the entire Region 12 and Mindanao to the world”.

“We’ve shown to the world that it’s really fun here in Mindanao and we have a lot of beautiful attractions here that tourists can visit,” Miguel said.

The world record attempts highlighted the culmination of the city’s first-ever Motorcycle Festival.

The festivity coincides with the three-day 23rd national convention here of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs in the Philippines that ends Sunday.

According to the Guinness website, the current world record for the most motorcycle engines started simultaneously is 1,446 and achieved by Yamaha Motor Philippines in association with Ad Staunch Communication Network Inc.

It was held at the SM Mall of Asia Complex on June 7, 2014.

The record for the most motorcycle horns sounded simultaneously was also achieved in the same event with 1,425.

Organizers were able to mobilize a total of 1,208 motorcycles in a parade during the event and was recognized by Guinness for “the largest parade of Yamaha motorcycles”