Silverio rules Asian F-3

ZHUHAI, China – Jojo Silverio of Standard Insurance-Caltex-Team Tom’s made motorsports history by becoming the first champion in the inaugural season of the Asian Formula 3 Challenge, which came to a fitting end at the Zhuhai International Circuit here recently.

Silverio finished second to British driver Mark Goddard of Castrol-Ghiasports twice in the 11th and 12th rounds, but these were enough to capture the overall championship organized by the Batangas Racing Circuit Association (BRCA) and sponsored by Shell, Kilton Motors, MOF Co., Marlboro, Toyota, Norkis-Yamaha and Casino Filipino.

"I’m very proud to win (the title). It was another exciting season for me," said Silverio, who is hoping to follow the footsteps of his equally-popular father Dante Silverio in terms of motorsports achievements.

Overall, Silverio finished with a runaway total of 177 points against 149 points of Goddard in the prestigious 12-part series also held at the Batangas Racing Circuit and Subic International Raceway.

Last year’s PSA "Karter of the Year" awardee Philip Alvendia of Kart 1 finished third overall with 117 points.

Rounding out the top five finishes were Pepon Marave of Shell Racing, fourth with 74 points; and Richard Joson of Kart 1, fifth with 36 points.

Silverio’s team, Standard Insurance-Caltex-Team Tom’s – also bagged the team championship over Castrol-Ghiasports, Kart 1, Shell Racing and FRD Team.

The races in Zhuhai over the weekend marked the first time that Formula 3 was staged in China.

With a huge turnout of race enthusiasts from China and Hong Kong watching them, Goddard and Silverio dueled like champions for most of the 10-lap race held simultaneously with the Formula Renault.

Goddard, Silverio and Joson finished 1-2-3 in both season-ending races at the 4.3-km race course, ahead of Formula Renault winners Kenny Chun of Hong Kong and Louie David of the United States.

The Philippines’ J.P. Tuason and Kirk Arambulo dominated the equally-exciting Formula Toyota races.