Go gains podium honors in Lonato

MANILA, Philippines — Cebuano karter William John Riley Go drove to history as he clinched a podium finish in the WSK Euro Series Round 1 recently at the South Garda Karting in Lonato, Italy.

Go, who was 25th after the qualifying race, worked his way up in the succeeding heats and saving his best for last, clocked 13:40.977 in the final race to place third out of 70 racers.

The 14-year-old Go joined Polish champion Jan Przyrowski (13:38.243) and French runner-up Rene Lammers (13:39.243) in the honor roll of the prestigious Euro open kart racing competition, which counts F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc among its notable champions.

“As the first Filipino to bag a podium in the WSK Series, it is indeed a great joy for me to bring pride to the Philippines,” Go said, who also earned 20 points with this podium finish.

South African driver Luviwe Sambudia took fourth place behind Go with his 13:42.203 clocking while Hungarian Martin Molnar, the pre-final B winner, settled for fifth with 13:42.407. Swedish Scott Lindblom, the pole sitter and leader after the heats, ended 22nd in the final with 13:53.128.

The feat in Lonato followed up Go’s breakthrough second-place finish in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy Round 1 last May in Genk, Belgium.

“It motivates me to improve further in my future races,” said Go.