Calderon, Carcel gird for title duel

MANILA, Philippines - Junior Cebuano karters Tonyo Carcel and Jette Calderon are expected to bring their rivalry to another level as they tackle the short and treacherous Boomland Kart Track today in the sixth and penultimate leg of the 2009 Magnolia Pure Water Karting Super Series at the CCP Complex in Pasay.

The two are only 31 points apart in their fight for the Formula SL Novice crown of the series sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Magnolia Pure Water, San Miguel Corp., Petron, Denso, Motorstar and Aeromed.

Carcel has 305 points with Calderon close behind with 274. Their showdown at the Enchanted Kingdom leg could be a preview of what to expect in this race.

Carcel then was in control almost throughout the race when Calderon made his decisive dive at the triple curve just before reaching the finish line. And with two legs to go in the series, the battle for the crown remains unpredictable.

That’s because Estefano Rivera of PCR-Tought Gear Racing can still pull off a big title upset as he’s close third with 237 points. Though considered a darkhorse for the crown, Rivera has proved he could outsmart the two as evidenced by his big triumph in Cebu City.

Joining the fray are Korean Daniel Park of Ready2Race, Archim Lorenz Lagman, Gab Dacasin, Matthew Chan. Lawrence de Leon of PCR-Tough Gear Racing, lady karter Coleen Yap and Nikki Luna who made quite an impression as a first-timer finishing third at the Enchanted Kingdom.

Also favored in the other divisions are Fil-British Carl Pollington and Aira Medrano of PCR-Tough Gear Racing, Christian Gaddi of Jet Racing, and Matthew Solomon of Ready2Race.

Pollington and Medrano are in a tight 1-2 in the Baby ROK class holding 330 and 321 points respectively while Gaddi, last year’s Cadet champion, holds with total of 312 points and is eying his fourth victory in the Mini-ROK division against Kali Carcel (295 points) and Japanese Marino Sato.

Solomon, a Hongkong-based karter, is leading the title race in the ROK Novice division with a total of 274 up against Ready2Race teammates Jennifer Tumambing and Brial del Val.

For further details, interested parties may contact Carmona Circuit Philippines c/o Rose Feria at 817-2241.