Luig, Zulberti spice up karting kickoff

MANILA, Philippines - Newcomer Carl Luig of AUTS racing and rising star Tai Zulberti of City Kart pulled off a pair of remarkable come-from-behind victories in their respective classes to highlight the kickoff leg of the Petron Karting Super Series at the Carmona Racetrack recently.

Luig humbled even his rivals in the Expert class in the combined race to capture the Formula SL Novice crown while Zulberti bucked the odds to clinch the Formula Cadet Expert title.

Gabriel Cabrera of Kart Wreckers also shared the spotlight by winning the Mini-ROK plum.

Luig wrapped up the race in 18 minutes, 4.855 seconds or 1.365 seconds ahead of Darvin to win the Formula SL Novice class over Raymond Cudala and third placer Carlos Lorenzo.

Darvin eventually copped the Formula SL Expert title over runner-up Yvana Carangan of AUTS racing and Monzones in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petron Blaze, San Miguel Corp., Motorstar and Aeromed.

Zulberti, on the other hand, rallied from ninth and last place on the grid to gain sixth in the first lap of the final race before moving to second place in the second lap.

He took the lead for good in the fourth lap, completing the 15-lap race in 13 minutes, 26.506 seconds or 9.222 seconds ahead of teammate Jacob Chamness.

Arthur Tuason of Tuason Racing placed third while Xedrei Daquigan and Dylan Arambulo of Kart Wreckers wound up fourth and fifth, respectively.