Cortez roars to second double title romp

MANILA, Philippines - Larco Cortez bucked the odds to nail his second double title win in the fourth leg of the Petron Tri-Activ ROK Karting Super Series at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga recently.

The young karter rallied to upend older, more experienced rival, completing the 12-lap final race in 14 minutes, 18.087 seconds, 21.857 seconds ahead of Jerry Choi and Karl Wilhelm to rule the Formula 125 Senior Open of the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petron, Petron Blaze 100 Euro 4, Petron XCS, Petron Ultron, Petron Xtra, Petron Sprint, Magnolia Pure Water and Yokohama the official tires.

Cortez likewise copped the ROK Senior Novice Tri-Activ title over Wilhelm and Hong Kong’s Kent Tsui.

Dylan Arambulo, meanwhile, notched his first victory in the X30 Jr. Blaze 100 division, beating fancied Eduardo Coseteng Jr. of Eagle Cement, Keon Romoff of Empire-Red Bull Racing Team and John Dizon.

Wilhelm of Praga Racing actually controlled the tempo in the early going while Choi of AUTS Racing took over the top spot after the former spun out in the third lap.

Coming from fourth place, Cortez inched his way up and slipped past Choi in the fifth lap on his way to victory.

Choi, meanwhile, bagged the ROK Senior Expert Tri-Activ title over the Cebuano Holganza brothers Jerricke and Rhett.