Indon star dominates AF3 practice runs

ROSARIO, Batangas — Indon racing star Ananda Mikola continued to dominate practice runs for the opening two legs of the 2005 Addict Mobile Asian Formula 3 Super Prix here this weekend, leading the field in two of four practice races and finishing in the top five in the other two Friday at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

Mikola, of Fastron Racing with Threebond, clocked 1:23.874, the third best time in the first practice run, but showed his readiness for the race in the succeeding runs, underscoring his bid for the first two legs of the 12-leg event.

Defending champion Christian Jones of Christian Jones Motorsport, an Australian driving with a Philippine license, led the first practice run with a time of one minute and 23. 4 seconds at the 3.4-kilometer track. He suffered a flat tire Thursday and failed to test the track.

Filipino Dado Peña of Team Goddard, second behind Indonesian Ananda Mikola on Thursday, was just as consistent, finishing just a split second behind Jones, then nosing out fellow Filipino Tyson Sy of Speedtech Asia in one minute and 24.5 seconds in the other practice run.

As of press time, two more practice runs were set to be held to allow drivers affected by Thursday’s accident involving Japanese rookie Katsuhiro Konno.

Meanwhile, race and track officials worked double time Thursday to repair the track damaged by Konno’s crash. They later declared the track safe and ready for the qualifying time trial Saturday that will decide the pole position in the event backed by Addict Mobile, Motolite, Boysen, Yokohama Tires, Lima City Hotel and PLDT MyPad (www.pldtmypad).

Konno, of Denso Hanjin F3, slammed into a wall just before a turn after a long straightaway, wrecking his car. Flames later engulfed the car but he managed to walk away with a mere ankel injury, although he will not be able to race Sunday.

"We are definitely ready for Sunday’s races. All the possible loopholes have been plugged," said BRC track manager Walter "Wowie" Michenela.

Added safety measures were also put in place, like tire barriers at the site where Konno crashed. An ambulance crew was put on standby until Sunday in the event that has as media partners Magic 89.9, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, 99.5 RT and 103.5 K-Lite. Highlights of the race can be accessed at www.asianf3.net.

AF3 managing director Mark Goddard concurred with Michenela on the readiness of the track for the Sunday series after conducting an ocular inspection of the track Saturday morning.