Apex Racing out to raise Philippines karting to next level

MANILA, Philippines - The Apex Racing Team, led by Japanese sensation Takeharu Nakamori, promises a huge 2017 season for the karting squad.

Apex Racing team owner and founder Jerry Choi and Apex Philippines’ team director Larry Cortez, are planning to have their karters take part in the first Apex Summer Karting Clinics this May and a couple of international races eventually.

“My goal is to upgrade the level of karting here in the Philippines. That is why I’m bringing competitive karters from Japan, China and Hong Kong,” said Choi, who is himself the 2016 National and International Karter of the Year.

One of those drivers is Nakamori, who boosted his bid for Karter of the Year after ruling Round 1 of the ROK Karting Super Series’ senior expert division recently at the Palawan International Circuit in Puerto Princesa recently.

Nakamori is also aiming to become the top karter in the Asian Karting Open Championships, which will be held in June in Macau.

Another Apex karting ace is Larco Cortez, who finished runner-up in the Palawan ROK Karting series. Cortez, who is also aiming for Karter of the Year honors, will be joining X30 Championship and ROK series international races.

Two other Apex karters in Mervin Mallen, a runner-up during the Palawan races, is a candidate for Rookie of the Year, and comebacking female karter Jhen Tumambing, a runner-up in the X30 and Rounds 2 and 3 of the series. Both are taking part in the Senior Novice division.

“I’m bringing tough drivers from around the world for our team to produce world-class and competitive karters,” said Cortez.

To do this, Apex management will hold its first summer karting clinic to be called the Apex Racing Academy within the year, preferably this May, “to help young karters achieve their dream and be part of our fast-growing elite team.”

Nakamori flashed his top form in the 1.350-km-long, 8-10 meter-wide racetrack to master the elite field and clinch both the ROK Senior Expert Blaze 100 and ROK Overall Blaze 100 crowns in Race 1. The Japanese sensation completed the 16-lap final race in 16 minutes, 44.931 seconds to top the ROK Senior Blaze 100 class, 9.866 seconds ahead of teammate Cortez.

Nakamori also bagged the ROK Overall title with a 2.066-second margin over his closest pursuer.