AF3 series looms as clash of old, new track aces

The Asian Formula 3 series this weekend at the Batangas Racing Circuit isn’t going to be a clash between the Filipino and foreigner drivers, but also a battle for honors for the grizzled veterans and the young guns of the tracks.

The Philippines’ Pepon Marave, the 2003 AF3 series champion, represents the seasoned ones when he seeks to become the first two-time winner as the annual racefest at the BRC track.

"I may be the oldest to race this year but I have the experience, I’m familiar with the track and I know what it takes to win ," said the 39-year-old Marave, who couldn’t resist the itch to race again after managing his Shell Helix Kinetic PSCO team full time last year.

"My goal is to become the first two-time champion of the AF3 series, which would be a lot sweeter for me," added Marave.

But he knows it’s going to be a long, bumpy road ahead as he is up against young foreign bets led by defending champion Christian Jones of Australia and runner-up John O’Hara of Ireland.

Youngsters Rodolfo Avila of Portugal, Eduardo Juan Peña and Tyson Sy of RP are the teeners to watch out for.

Avila, for one, the youngest in the cast, has competed in the tough Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix and felt the experience he gained in the stint would serve him in good stead against his older foes.

"I hope my experience in Macau helps me but it’s different here, I just hope to keep up with the guys," said Avila, who will race for the Fujitsu-Ten Toyota Team TOM’s squad.

"They’re getting younger and younger each year, I’m sure they’re going to give us older guys tough times," said Marave, the 2002 AF-3 series Philippine Karter of the Year.

Also seeing action in the Batangas circuit are Jone’s teammate, John Marcelo; Ananda Mikola of the Three Bond Racing Team of Japan; Great Britain’s Greg Murphy, teammate of Peña for Team Goddard; Marave’s teammate, Briton James Winslow for Shell Kinetic; Japanese Katsuhiro Konno of Denso Hanjin and JR Tuason of the Tuason Racing team.

The two-day meet is sponsored by Addict Mobile, Motolite Battery, Boysen, Yokohama Tires, Lima City Hotel and PLDT Mytad with Magic 89.9, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, 99.5 RT and 103.5 K-Lite as media partners.