Asia’s top karters clash in Phl leg

MANILA, Philippines - Asia’s top karters gear up for another showdown as they vie for top honors in the Philippine leg of the Asian Karting Open Championships set May 17-19 at the Carmona Racetrack in Brgy. Bangkal, Carmona, Cavite.

Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and host Philippines are fielding in their  top entries in the five-leg series sanctioned by the world governing Commission Internationale de Karting- Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (CIK-FIA).

Titles to be disputed are the Formula 125 Open Senior, the Formula 125 Open Junior, Mini-ROK, Formula Cadet Novice and Expert, SQ Novice, SQ Expert, SQ Veteran, Yamaha Expert and Yamaha Novice.

The Philippine leg is also sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Coca-Cola, Yokohama (official tires), Sparco, Vivere Hotel (official home of Asian karters), Motorstar and Aeromed.

Singapore made quite an impression in last year’s staging of the event but Indonesia, led by Senna Sulaiman Noor and Dharma Mangkuluhur who captured the Asian Karting Senior and Junior plums, respectively, remains the team to watch together with the host squad.

Singapore goes all-out behind Mohammad Nasri Naufal Bin Nasir ad Yeo Hong Yang in the premier Formula 125 Open Seniors class and top juniors Jon Lee Xuan and Gabriella Teo Yu Ting in the Formula 125 Open Juniors division.

Also fancied is Joao de Jesus Afonso of CKS Racing Team Macau.

The Carmona Racetrack will be closed May 13-15 for necessary renovations. Practice sessions will be held May 16.

Leading the hosts’ bid are reigning Karter of the Year Vencer John Suba and the Rivera brothers Milo and Estefano, 15-year-old Daniel Miranda of Cebuana Lhuillier, who will vie in the premier Formula 125 Open Seniors class together with CJ Tsui of Formula-E Racing and top lady karter Sacha Feliciano.

Raymond Cudala of Tough Gear, Jaz Monzones of Formula-E Racing and Seaoil-DC-Kilton karter Gabe Tayao-Cabrera will be the country’s top bets for the Asian Karting Junior plum.

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