Reyes, Calderon bound for ROK World finals

MANILA, Philippines - Industria Racing Team karting stalwarts Franco Reyes and Jette Calderon clinched the two Philippine berths in the 2011 ROK World Finals slated Oct. 13-16, at the South Garda Kart Track in Lonato, Italy.

Both will be racing in the Junior ROK category.

The 15-year-old Reyes, a high school sophomore at Ateneo, will be competing for a record sixth time. He first vied in the mini division in 2006.

It will be Reyes’ final junior year after finishing 22nd in a field of 70 junior drivers last year.

Calderon, playing out of Ateneo de Cebu, will be joining Reyes for the second time. Both were in the ROK Finals in 2007 as the country’s bets in the mini division.

Finishing 1 and 2, respectively, in the national karting series, Reyes and Calderon gained berths in the prestigious event, which features the worlds’ best ROK karters. Over 300 drivers from all over the world gather each year to determine the best of the best in ROK karting.

“Again, the goal this year is to get into the main final first, and from there on, try to get a podium finish, if not win the championship altogether,” said Reyes.

“It’s a tough race considering we’re up against Europe’s and the world’s best drivers. Europe has the highest level of competition in karting as it is the traditional home of karting,” he added.

“Asian drivers are increasingly improving in the toughest European circuits, so we believe we have a good chance of making it to the main final.” Calderon said. “Making it into the Final 34 is already a big honor.”

After the ROK World Finals, Reyes will compete in the Bridgestone Cup European final. He currently ranks third in the Asian Karting Order of Merit with only five points.