Luig, Zulberti prevail anew in Petron national karting

MANILA, Philippines - Newcomer Carl Luig of AUTS Racing and promising young karter Tai Zulberti of City Kart posted convincing victories to make it two-in-row in the Phlippine National Karting Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Batangas recently.

Luig held his ground and upstaged even the Expert drivers in the combined race as he clinched his second win in the Formula SL Novice class.

Zulberti, on the other hand, pulled off a big escape against Dylan Arambulo to annex his second straight crown in the Formula Cadet Expert class.

Luig only finished fourth in the qualifying heat but stepped up in the pre-finals where he checked in second behind AUTS Racing teammate and Expert lady karter Yvana Carangan to take Grid No. 2 for the final race.

Though he managed to keep the lead in the final race, a three-way battle ensued as Carangan and Raymond Cudala of Kart Wreckers crowded him until the last few meters to the finish line.

But Luig escaped with the win, completing the nine-lap race in 14 minutes and 36.882 seconds, a mere 0.021 of a second ahead of Cudala and 0.102 of a second over Carangan.

Cudala eventually finished second in the Formula SL Novice with Carlos Lorenzo settling for third in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petron Blaze, San Miguel Corp., Motorstar and Aeromed.

Brian Thorp of AUTS Racing and Bjomar Eikevik wound up fourth and fifth, respectively.

Carangan copped the Formula SL Expert crown over Wayne Darvin and Jaz Monzones of Natmo Asia-GP1 Racing.

Zulberti likewise faced tough challenge against Arambulo as they battled neck-and-neck in all three races. Arambulo ruled the qualifying heat but Zulberti got back in the Pre-Final, winning the race by just 0.048 of a second over Arambulo.

Their duel continued in the eight-lap Final race but Zulberti’s defensive moves carried him through as he clocked 12 minutes, 46.107 seconds or 0.076 of a second ahead of Arambulo.

William Casequin settled for third place while AT Tuason and Jacob Chamness placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Luigi Lachica of One Racing also notched his second straight win in the Formula Cadet Novice class, beating Francis Tanlu of AUTS Racing and Draeco Abalajon of Kart Wreckers.

Flynn Jackes of Castrol-TRS Kids copped the Mini-ROK title over Gabriel Cabrera of Kart Wreckers and Xedrei Daquigan.

For details, call up the Carmona Racetrack c/o Rose Feria at 845-0745, 889-3389, 845-3287 and 845-4142 or visit the website www.asiankarting.com.