Sy goes for boom or doom in AF3

ROSARIO, Batangas — Tyson Sy intends to be very aggressive and attack series leader James Winslow right in the first corner of the Batangas Racing Circuit when the 15th round of the Asian Formula Three circuit is held here Saturday.

But it was Dado Peña who got a second look from all entries when he registered the fastest lap in the third practice rounds on Friday morning as the race enters its final weekend starting today with local riders determined not to give the foreign field an inch of a space in what is expected to be a wild and wooly battle for podium finishes.

Peña, of Team Goddard, clocked one minute and 28.696 seconds under sunny condition while Sy was second fastest at 1:28.718. The duo gave the foreign field a taste of what is to come as the country’s best riders expressed their determined bid in foiling any foreign attempt at home turf.

Former series leader Ali Jackson of Ireland, however, continued to breathe down the Filipino riders’ necks, clocking 1:28.752 while Indonesian rider Moreno Soeprapto logged in at 1:28.755. Series leader James Winslow checked in at 1:28.755.

The Promotions class also saw Filipina rider Michelle Bumgarner checking in ahead at 1:30.764. She was followed by Philip Forsman of Sweden (1:30.966) and Walter Grabmueller of Great Britain (1:31.095).

With Peña not giving up hope of further improving his clocking, Sy, of Speedtech Asia, is also hot on his own chase of the overall title. Sy is convinced Winslow, lead driver of Fujitsu Racing with Threebond JA Motorsport, will avoid any collision to protect his huge lead in the overall standings and would be content to finish the race.

"We should have a good launch and try to grab the lead right in the first corner. Because he has a big lead, James will stay away from trouble, especially in the corners," said Sy.

The results of Race 14 in Indonesia last September will be the grid positions for Race 15, which was canceled when Soeprapto figured in a nasty accident. This means Sy, who finished second in Race 14, will start alongside Winslow, with Jackson of Ireland’s Aran Racing in third and teammate Dillon Battistini behind.

Round 15 of the series backed by PLDT myDSL, Yokohama, Big Shot Billiards, Mossimo, Oxy Enhanced Water, Lima City Hotel, Asti Cinzano, Samsung, Silver City Automall, Viva Mineral Water and Powerade will be limited to drivers who competed in Indonesia.

Completing the starting grid are Indons Satrio and Bagoes Hermanto of R&W Team Indonesia Joson F3, Gaby de la Merced of Speedtech Asia, Michelle Bumgarner of Team Goddard, Moreno and Peña.

The rest of the drivers here — Macanese Lei Kit Meng and Briton Charles Hollings of Team Goddard, Swede Philip Forsman of Speedtech Asia and Austrian Walter Grubmuller of Fujitsu Racing with Threebond JA Motorsport — will see action later today during the qualifying race for Round 16.

Winslow, who has 215 points built around five wins in Indonesia, remained confident he could beat the opposition.

"Tyson’s starting just behind me and I’m sure he’s gonna push hard. But I know my car’s really good. I’m really confident. I go for the win in each race," he said.

Jackson struggled in the morning practice run, posting just the seventh fastest time. Running on new tires in the afternoon session, he came up with the best time but his injured right hand is still a big question mark come race time. There were stretches in practice when he inexplicably slowed down although he claimed his hand "was okay."

Peña topped the morning session despite using old tires and set his sights on a top five finish in Round 15 although he will start from the back.

"It’s very tough to overtake here so a top five finish would be fine. In the qualifying session for the next race, we will definitely fight for pole position. We should be in the front row," said Peña, who appeared loose and relaxed.

"We’re going out to make a statement. We’re quick but we’ve had problems throughout the year and we’re behind in the standings. There’s no pressure, we’ll just enjoy the races. We’ll keep our cool," added Peña, who has amassed just 62 points, good for sixth overall.

Sy, who has been fine-tuning his old car that he used in finishing runner-up thrice to Winslow in Indonesia, said they are still looking for the perfect set-up.

"We’re getting there, malapit na. Konti lang ang lamang ni Dado. James is also there, halos dikit kaming tatlo."

The voices of discontent were aired by Battistini and Soeprapto, half-brother of Ananda Mikola, last year’s winner. Battistini continued to lag behind in practice while Soeprapto was clearly disappointed with his car’s set-up.

"The car’s not really giving me what I need. We have been looking for the right set-up but just can’t find it. I’m not too confident for tomorrow," said Soeprapto.