Mauricio reigns in scooter, underbone series

MANILA, Philippines - Young Gian Mauricio of JVT Racing upstaged the reigning titlists and veteran rivals to rule the FDR Philippine Scooter and FDR Underbone King Championship Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit recently.

The 17-year-old Mauricio went on a one-year hiatus to hone his craft and with new bikes from JVT Racing, he pulled the rug from under the favorites, including Spec-V top guns defending Underbone titlist Masato Fernando and Scooter champion John Inguito in both events which served as part of the Eneos Philippine Motorsports Championships sponsored by FDR, sanctioned by the Unified Sports and Racing Association (USRA).

Starting fourth on the grid, Mauricio breezed his way to wrest the top spot in the third lap then hung tough to complete the eight-lap Race 1 of the Underbone Series in 14 minutes, 55.805 seconds and capture the 150cc Open crown, 0.141 of a second ahead of Fernando.

James Mendez checked in third while Herbert Lopez and Niño Fabian placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Sharing the limelight was McDon Sande, who emerged the 115cc Open champion.

In the Scooter Series, Mauricio started last in the 24-man field after competing underweight in the time trials. But he bounced back in the race proper where he overtook one rider after another to post the day’s fastest time of 1:56.008.