Korean goes for second straight win for TRS Castrol

MANILA, Philippines – TRS-Castrol Racing Team hopes to give its title quest a big push behind fast-rising Korean star Mickey Kim in the fifth and penultimate leg of the 2012 Philippine GT Championship series Sunday at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

The South Korean, who only started racing last January under the TRS program, will be parading the same Honda Civic EK he steered to upset victories over top favorites Arnel Carlos and his son Dwight Kevin.

But Kim’s win wasn’t all about machine power. TRS-Castrol Racing manager Mike Tuason said the South Korean now feels equally at ease driving a GT200 car as the GT100 vehicle he used in the first three legs of the series.

Heeding Tuason’s advice to further push his ability to the limits, Kim posted a fast 2:16 in the qualifying time trials and kept his composure throughout despite pressure from the top favorites.

Consistent driving and defensive strategies earned him the GT200 runner-up honors in the nine-lap Sprint race as he upstaged his fancied rivals for the GT200 crown in the 15-lap final race.

Tuason said he was just as satisfied with Kim’s fourth overall finish in the 16-car combined race, just behind ace GT300 contenders Jody Coseteng, Jojo Silverio and defending champVincent Floirendo.