Rookie rider makes mark in Phl karting

MANILA, Philippines - Brian Thorp enhanced a promising racing career when he ruled the novice cadel class in the Petron National Karting Series Open at the Carmona racetrack in Cavite recently.

The win enabled the 13-year-old, 5-7 Thorp, eldest child of Filipina beauty Ginny and British expat and businessman Jonathan, to collect his first trophy during the recent Golden Wheels award.

A multi-sports athlete who is also into basketball, volleyball, rugby, swimming and diving, Thorp surprised his rivals with an impressive show of racing skills barely two months after graduating from the Tuason Racing School where he first tried his hand in karting.

“He’s a smooth driver. He doesn’t get rattled,” said his mom Ginny.

Brian, a seventh grader at Brent International School in Laguna, actually joined the series’ third leg after completing his course at TRS, and immediately made his mark by dominating the field in the next five legs en route to winning the series with 301 points.

Asked why he likes karting, Thorp, who credits his coaches Indy Villalon and Martin Alvendia of AUTS Racing for his steady rise, said he likes “speed” and the “competitiveness” of the sport.

He also counts his sponsors Howzat Sports Bar, Savoy Bistro, Von Dutch, Big Apple Dive Resort, Team Insider Boxing Gym, Mulligans Irish Bar and Olympic medalist Onyok Velasco as part of his support system during and after each race.

Brian’s mettle will be tested again when he resumes his campaign in the series, which unfolds this weekend.

This time, though, he’ll pit his skills in the novice SL-KT class where the competition is tougher.

“I need to be more focused because this is going to be a tougher race,” said Thorp, who’s been practicing with the AUTS team every weekend at the Carmona tracks.