Castelar, Medrano prevail in Clark Magnolia karting

MANILA, Philippines - Joseph Castelar of Castelar Racing and Aira Medrano of Fern-C pulled off exciting victories that bolstered their title bids recently in the sixth and penultimate leg of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater Karting Super Series at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Castelar copped his third season win in the Formula SL Expert class while Medrano staged a big comeback in the final race to claim the Mini-ROK crown.

The event is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Magnolia Purewater, San Miguel Corp., Petron Corp., Yokohama Tires, Motorstar and Aeromed.

Pampanga bet Archim Lagman topped both the qualifying and pre-final heats of the Formula SL Expert class and appeared headed for a sweep as he controlled the pace in the early goings of the final race.

But Castelar spoiled it all as he wrested the lead with five laps to go and kept his post from there. He completed the 11-lap race in 12 minutes, 22.341 seconds or 0.472 of a second ahead of Lagman.

Indy Villalon of AUTS Racing checked in third while teammates Yvana Carangan and Tonyo Carcel made it fourth and fifth.

Medrano, on the other hand, exacted revenge on Reasy2Race bet Basti Escalante who ruled the qualifying and the pre-final heats by just a hairline.

She made sure she had the last laugh as she wrested the top spot on the third lap and prevented a rally from thereon to claim the Mini-ROK crown in 9:11.067 with a 0.067 margin over Escalante.

Aira now holds 379 points or 10 points behind Escalante.

In contrast, Christian Gaddi swept all three races to rule the Formula SL Novice division.

Gaddi prevailed in a close encounter with Cebuano Daniel Miranda of M. Lhuillier, wrapping up the 11-lap race in 11:30.651 or 0.897 of a second ahead.

Ayrton Cuesta of AUTS Racing was third while Escalante and Matthew Chan of Fern-C Racing wound up fourth and fifth.

Also hogging the limelight was Don Batino who ruled the SQ Kart Race over Raul Barreto and Philip Lau.

Details: Carmona Circuit Philippines (Rose Feria) at 817-2241.