Cabrera stays in hunt in Asian junior karting

MANILA, Philippines - Seaoil-DC karter Gabriel Tayao Cabrera remains the leader in the hunt for the Asian Juniors crown despite enduring numerous engine problems in the Formula Open 125 Juniors race in Round 2 of the 2014 Asian Karting Open Championships held at the Carmona Race track.

He bagged the runner-up honors behind good friend Jacob Ang who emerged the Formula Open 125 Juniors champion.

“Whenever one represents the country, you have to think beyond your personal agenda. As we said, anybody can win as long as it’s a Filipino. And I’m happy it was a good friend of mine Jacob Ang who helped secure the country’s standing in the junior class which I jumpstarted with my win in the initial round in Macau,” said Cabrera.

The 14 year-old Grade 10 student from Makati Hope Christian School as expected, marveled the crowd with his driving skills in the rain while still on slick tires in Heat 1.

Again grabbing the spotlight in Heat 2, he raced on wet track with a defective rotor.

“I have no coach during races so I had to trust my instincts. Some thought it was risky not to pit but in my opinion I made a calculated decision. I knew I could control my kart and I did,” explained Tayao Cabrera.

He is slated to fly to Malaysia in a couple of weeks to compete in the Asia Max Challenge under elite racing team ART Grand Prix Asia.