Magnolia karting on

MANILA, Philippines - The short but fast Boomland track will be a big test for the country’s finest junior karters today as the third leg of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater Karting Super Series fires off at the CCP Complex in Pasay City.

A three-way clash among Estefano Rivera of PCR-Tough Gear-Fern C Racing, Cebuanos Tonyo Carcel of AUTS Racing and Jette Calderon loom in the ROK Novice class of this event.

The three figured in a tight battle for the Formula SL Novice plum last year and are bringing their rivalry to a higher level this season as they moved up to the ROK Novice division.

Rivera, last year’s Rookie of the Year and Formula SL Novice champion, holds solo lead with 128 points following his perfect run in the kickoff leg and his runner-up feat in Batangas last month.

Carcel had shown marked improvement this season as he not only copped the ROK Novice crown on his first try but also claimed the runner-up honors in the Formula SL Expert and the third place finish in the ROK Junior class.

A win could install Carcel on top as he’s currently second overall (100 pts) in the ROK Novice division of the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Magnolia Purewater, San Miguel Corporation, Petron Corporation, Denso Iridium Power, Motorstar and Aeromed.

Calderon is third overall with 96 points and is also eyeing a crucial win to wrest the front seat in the title race.

Spicing up the hunt for the ROK Novice crown are Gab Dacasin, Christian Villenuve of Maranello-San Miguel Corporation-Marcelo Racing, Kim Lagman and Jericho Tolin.

A similar three-way encounter among Christian Gaddi of Jet Racing, Basti Escalante of Ready2Race and Carl Pollington of PCR-Tough Gear-Fern C Racing is expected to spice up the Mini-ROK class.

Gaddi, seeking his fourth straight crown, staged a big comeback in the last leg to wrest solo lead with 128 points.

Pollington, the nine-year-old Fil-British Cadet champion, ruled the kickoff leg and ended third in Batangas to stay second overall with 107.

Escalante is third overall with 98 points and sees the Boomland race as his big chance to move up the ladder.

 Joining them are Aira Medrano of PCR-Tough Gear-Fern C Racing, Kali Carcel of AUTS Racing and Joseph Tumambing of Ready2Race.

Joseph Marvin Rojo is also gunning for his third straight triumph in the Formula SL Novice class against Gaddi and teammate CJ Tsui.

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