Fern-C takes record haul in Asian karting

MANILA, Philippines - Fern-C Racing scored another dazzling performance behind its young crew as it emerged the winningest team recently in the second leg of the 2011 Asian Karting Open Championship at the Carmona Racetrack.

Estefano Rivera, Sacha Feliciano and Carl Pollington pivoted the haul of two champion trophies, one runner-up, two fourth places and a fifth place finish for the Fern-C Racing Team powered by Placewell International Services Corporation, Getaway Tours Int’l. Inc., Delta Star Power and HGD Line Hardware

 “We commend our young karters for their hard work and fight for national pride in this prestigious Asian event.  They gave their all despite the odds and proved their worth with the harvest of trophies” said Fern-C CEO Tom Tan.

The 14-year-old Rivera, a Don Bosco-Makati sophomore, wrested the lone Asian champion trophy for the Philippines when he captured the Formula Open 125 Juniors plum over Singaporean bet Daim Bin Hishammudin.

Feliciano created sensation as she bested all her male rivals, dictating the momentum from start to finish in clinching the Yamaha Cup Novice crown.

Pollington copped the champion trophy in the local Mini-ROK class and also wound up fifth in the Asian Mini-ROK.

Matthew Chan, who bagged the ROK Novice crown in the Boomland race, uncorked another impressive feat when he claimed the runner-up honors in the ROK Cup Senior division.

The other trophies were won by VJ Suba, fourth in the premier Formula Open 125 Seniors and new recruit Xedrei Daquigan, surprise third in the local Mini-ROK and fourth in the SQ Cadet Novice.

“It was totally unexpected as the team was bogged with problems the day before the final race.  But with the RP flag in mind, our wards really stepped up and Fern-C Racing even ended as the winningest team,” said head coach and team manager Edgen Dy-Liacco.

Dy-Liacco further lauded Rivera for his unyielding spirit despite the odds. He actually started 14th on the grid in the Pre-Final race but his determination paid its reward as he passed one driver after another to finish third.

And in the Finals, Estefano sneaked his way to wrest the lead from Hishamuddin on the second lap and pulled away to control the tempo and complete the 22-lap race with a 9.335-second margin.