Rivera, Madrigal power Phl haul in Asian kart

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ Estefano Rivera of Fern-C Racing and Alessandra Madrigal of Alessandra Racing delivered the biggest feats for the country even as Singapore’s Andrew Tang of Kartronix International emerged the overall champion yesterday in the second leg of the 2011 Asian Karting Open Championship at the Carmona Racetrack.

The 13-year-old Rivera delivered the lone title for the Philippines when he captured the Formula 125 Open Junior plum in this prestigious event sanctioned by the Commission International de Karting (CIK) and the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and sponsored by Petron, San Miguel Corporation, Yokohama Tires, Denso Iridium Power and Vivere Hotel and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Finishing third in the pre-final race, Rivera quickly grabbed the top spot from Daim Hishammudin of Singapore in the second lap and started to pull away from the pack.

He wrapped up the 22-lap race in 19 minutes and 9.244 seconds or a far 9.335 seconds ahead of Hishammudin. Toby Earle of CRG-Thailand took third place while Timothy Yeo of Singapore and Cebu pride Jette Calderon of Industria Racing wound up fourth and fifth.

The comebacking Madrigal, on the other hand, amazed the crowd as she rallied from 17th place, patiently plowing her way up to a runner-up finish in the premier Formula 125 Open Seniors class.

But the spotlight was on Tang who finished the race in 23:55.418 to prevail over Madrigal and Vongprai and claim the Formula 125 Open Seniors crown.

He wrested the lead from Kittitat Vongprai of CRG-Thailand midway the 28-lap Final race and held on to his post from there.

Madrigal, who passed Vongprai in the last 10 laps, tried to catch up with Tang but only came 2.143 seconds closer. at the end of the race.

Vencer John Suba of FERN-C Racing took fourth place after passing Christian Silvano of Indonesia.

Kush Maini of India copped the Mini-ROK crown as he turned back Indonesians Perdana Putra Minang of Red White Racing and Presley Martono.

Gabe Tayao Cabrera topped the SQ Cadet class with Arthur Tuason and Jose Luigi Lachica finishing second and third. Xedrei Daquigan and Dylan Arambulo ended fourth and fifth respectively.

Winning the other title were Sacha Feliciano of FERN-C Racing, John Castelar of AUTS Racing, Peterson Lim and Daniel Castaneda.

Feliciano topped all her male rivals as she ruled the combine Yamaha Cup Race to clinch the Yamaha Cup Novice crown over Jaz Monzones of Natmo Racing and Basti Escalante of Tuason Racing.

Castelar won the Yamaha Cup Senior over Cebu’s Joseph Marwin Rojo and Yvana Carangan.

Peterson Lim went home with the SQ Senior title after turning back Don Batino and John Effinger while Castaneda ruled the SQ Novice division over Jon Julian and Choi Jerry Acuna.

For more info, interested parties may call the Carmona Racetrack c/o Rose Feria at 845-0745, 889-3389, 845-3287 and 845-4142 or visit the website www.asiankarting.com.