Sacha guns for kart title

MANILA, Philippines - Following her scintillating victory last month at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga, youthful Sacha Feliciano is on track to take home the championship of Formula SL Novice Division when the final leg of the 2011Petron Karting Series is run alongside the penultimate leg of the Asian Karting Open Championship 2011 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Feliciano is leading the standings by 30 points going into the final round but the charming 17-year-old is not taking anything for granted.

“I’m looking forward to the last leg but I’m trying not to get too excited because it might affect my focus,” the teenager said. “I’m going to treat it just like any race weekend and I’m going to drive just like I always have this season.”

Coach Edgen Dy-Liacco, who is overseeing Feliciano’s campaign, also throws caution to the wind.

‘“In karting, anything can happen such as a flat, accident or a blown engine and that could cost us the championship. We have to make sure that she finishes all her heats,” said Dy-Liacco. “It will be remembered that Feliciano got off to a rousing start in last year’s series, wherein she impressed spectators and competitors alike by posting wins as well as her style, which is marked by a delicate balance of aggressiveness and consistency. Her maiden season, however, came to an abrupt end when she sustained an injury in a practice crash.

When asked if memories of the incident will haunt her coming into the final leg, Feliciano flashed her signature smile and said, “No, it won’t.