Petron karting series kicks off tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - Sixty of the country’s leading karters plunge into action tomorrow as the Petron Karting Super Series kicks off at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

Titles to be disputed are the ROK overall, ROK senior, ROK junior, ROK novice, Formula SL novice, Formula SL expert, Formula SL heavy, mini-ROK and Cadet classes.

Reigning champion Stefano Marcelo of Maranello-San Miguel Corp.-Marcelo Racing goes for an unprecedented fourth Karter of the Year plum in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petron, San Miguel Corp., Denso Iridium Power and Yokohama Philippines.

The 18-year-old Ateneo student bounced back in the final two legs to capture the overall plum and match the feats of three-time champs Pepon Marave and Edgen Dy-Liacco.

But Marcelo faces stiff challenge from a talent-laden field that includes Roby Benito of Ready2Race, Franco Reyes of Jet Racing and the Castelar Racing brothers Joseph and John who are moving up to the ROK Senior division.

Also up for grabs is the Junior plum with Novice Karter of the Year Jette Calderon of Jet Racing, Migs Lagman, Tonyo Carcel of AUTS Racing, Basti Escalante and CJ Tsui of Ready2Race-Tuason Racing, Daniel Miranda of Cebuana Lhuillier, Adrian Tambuyat and Estefano Rivera of FERN-C Racing tipped to slug it out for the crown.

New faces are also expected to emerge in the Mini-ROK and Cadet divisions.

The other legs are set April 16-17 at the Batangas Racing Circuit, June 25-26 at Boomland, July 30-31 at Carmona, Aug. 27-28 at the Enchanted Kingdom, Sept. 24-25 at Clark with the championship slated Oct. 22-23 in Carmona.

For details, contact Carmona Racetrack c/o Rose Feria at 817-2241 or visit the website www.asiankarting.com.