Benitez ends drought, rules Magnolia karting

MANILA, Philippines - Former Junior Karter of the Year Javi Benitez of Jet Racing whipped out an impressive win over Stefano Marcelo of Maranello-San Miguel Corporation-Marcelo Racing recently in the third leg of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater Karting Super Series at the Boomland track of the CCP Complex in Pasay City.

The 15-year-old Benitez swept all three races and captured both the ROK Overall and the ROK Senior crowns of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Magnolia Purewater, San Miguel Corp., Petron Corporation, Denso Iridium Power, Motorstar and Aeromed.

The victory also served as a fitting birthday gift by Javi to his mother Nikki Benitez last Sunday.

“I knew I could do it,” said Benitez on his first win after a long time. “It was really tough since Stef (Marcelo) was at my tail. I told myself, no errors and relied on defensive driving to survive the ordeal. And this is my big gift for my mom Nikki.”

Marcelo actually struggled in the race as he figured in a crash with Estefano Rivera of PCR-Tough Gear-Fern C Racing early in the qualifying heat.

He worked his way up, finishing fourth in the pre-final heat and quickly moved behind Benitez at the start of the final race, endlessly challenging the latter with high hopes of finding an opportunity to wrest the lead.