Carapiet, Stockinger deliver 1-2 punch for RP in Asian karting

CARMONA, Cavite — Birel-SFIC drivers Ivan Carapiet and Marlon Stockinger paid the biggest respect for the Philippine flag when they made it a 1-2 finish for the country yesterday in the second leg of the prestigious 2006 Asian Karting Open Championship at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

The two were consistent throughout the pre-final and final race as they pulled away from the start and built a wide margin from the rest of the pack in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and sponsored by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Denso Iridium Power, Palmer Asia, Inc., Yokohama, Vivere Suites, Department of Finance, Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Tourism.

The twist came in the last four laps when Carapiet made a decisive dive on Stockinger to wrest the pole and held on to his post all the way to the finish line.

Carapiet wrapped up the 22-lap race in 15:39:256 or just 0.064 of a second ahead to claim the prestigious plum in the Rotax Max Seniors class. Stockinger, on the other hand, copped the top honors in the Formula 125 division.

"I was so lucky. I endured the pain caused by my previous injury and what I had in mind was just to give my all for the country. I really didn’t expect to win," said Carapiet, who was still nursing a swollen hand and right rib side incurred in the Batangas race a month ago.

Matteo Guidicelli of Alessandra Racing rallied from the tailend at grid No. 22 and amazingly made a big comeback to claim third place with a time of 15:47.598.

Another Birel-SFIC driver Daniel Cleak checked in fourth while Mark Bumgarner bagged fifth place.

Even more exciting was the big win of Javi Benitez of JeT Racing who drew loud cheers of support as he turned back Indonesian top gun Rio Haryanto for the ROK Junior crown.

Haryanto, along with Thai karter Master Tenart Sathienthirakul, occupied the 1-2 positions at the start of the race until after the sixth lap where Benitez made a crucial maneuver at the first turn to wrest the lead for good.

The Indonesian tried several times to regain his post but Benitez’ masterful defensive driving blocked all doors for him to pass.

Benitez, gaining distance after every lap, finished the 18-lap race in 12:53.830 or a far 2.307 seconds ahead of Haryanto.

John Alvarez of the Cebu Racing Group clinched third place honors, just 0.357 of a second behind Haryanto while Sathienthirakul and another Cebu Racing Group driver Paco Rodriguez made it fourth and fifth, respectively.

All in all, the Philippines bagged eight of the nine titles at stake in the event.

Cebu Racing Group’s Jan Jan Gonzales, a former jetski champ, delivered the fourth gold with his big win in the ROK Seniors class over Toti Turalba and teammate Atty. Jess Garcia.

Ecuadorian expat Santiago Garcia, who represented the country in the event, ruled the Rotax Max Veterans class over Tim Gosnel and third placer Chito Magcalas.

Christian Gaddi of Jet Racing prevailed in the Cadet 60 class over CRG’s Tonyo Carcel and Jaco Reyes; Renz Pazcoguin emerged champion in the Mini ROK division over Franco Reyes and third placer Vencer John Suba while Francis Reyes claimed the Formula SL title over Boomland Team’s Hiro Batolino and Keanu Dominado.

The only foreign champion was Sathienthirakul who took the Rotax Max Junior crown.