Michele eyes faster time in Asian karting

CARMONA, Cavite — The Philippines’ Michele Bumgarner is off to a good start as she posted quite a fast time during the practice session yesterday in the second leg of the prestigious 2006 Asian Karting Open Championship which kicks off today at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

The reigning Asian queen posted a time of 44.741 seconds while trying to break-in her kart.

Bumgarner, hoping to make up for her disappointing setback last year, expects her time to improve by two seconds after adjustments have been made on their set-up in time for the race proper of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and sponsored by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Denso Iridium Power, Palmer Asia Inc., Yokohama, Vivere Suites, Department of Finance, Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Tourism.

"We can still chip off two seconds from that time as soon as we get the perfect set-up for the kart," said Michele. "I’m looking forward to an error and accident-free run, and hopefully make up for my disappointing performance last year."

Last year, Michele was at her best — posting the new record time of 42.34 which she achieved using tires that already raced 40 laps. She swept all three heats and Sunday morning’s pre-final race. But in the final race that mattered most, she made a costly lapse of still using rain tires even as the track was fast drying up after the heavy downpour.

With Bumgarner out of the running, Matteo Guidicelli took charge and saved the day for the Philippines by bagging two of the four major titles at stake: the Rotax Max Seniors and the premiere Intercon-A class.

However, Guidicelli, who’s now donning the colors of Alessandra Racing, was having trouble yesterday when his left rear tire got loose during his practice run. He’s hoping that everything will be properly fixed in time for today’s time trials and three qualifying heats.

"I’m just hoping we’ll have enough time to make the necessary adjustments and test the kart again later this afternoon so we can be sure of a perfect set-up by tomorrow," said Guidicelli.

The laptimes posted by both Mark Bumgarner (46.463) and Jean Stefano Marcelo (45.479) were still off from being very competitive but just like Michele, they’re hoping for better set-up in their quest for good grid positions in preparation for the pre-final and final race on Sunday.

All four drivers will see action in the most excting combined race of the Formula 125 Open, Rotax Senior, ROK Senior, Rotax Max Veterans where more than 25 karters will altogether run and vie for positions.