Mainstays give Auts Racing decent finish in Asian karting

MANILA, Philippines - With Brian Thorp missing the action, AUTSRacing drew better performances from senior mainstays Carl Luig and lady karter Yvana Carangan who upstaged the top guns in the third leg of the 2012 Asian Karting Open Championship recently at the Carmona Racetrack.

Luig, slowly regaining top form after incurring a rib injury in the first AKOC race, finished second in the Yamaha Cup Novice while Carangan, who was at her peak when she ruled the pre-final race, claimed the Yamaha Cup senior second runner-up honors for the AUTSRacing Team.

Youngest member Francis Tanlu almost had the Formula Cadet Novice plum in his hands as he controlled the top spot nearly throughout from Jose Luigi Lachica who stuck real close and diced the former several times for the lead.

Lachica’s persistence paid off later as he took over with three laps to go. Tanlu pushed for a last ditch effort to regain his post but his move backfired, resulting in a spin out that dragged him down to 10th. place.

 at the end of the 15-lap Final race.

Nevertheless, he still managed to salvage fifth place.

Carangan and Luig posted fast times in the qualifying time trials, clocking their best at 49.169 and 49.175 seconds respectively, and pulled a 1-2 finish in both the qualifying heat and the Pre-finals.

But hopes of completing a sweep went up in smoke as a mad scramble for positions at the start of the Final race totally reversed the situation as both AUTSRacing karters were dislodged from the top spots.

Luig slipped down to fifth but managed to get back fast moving up fourth on the second lap and secured third place from the third lap all the way to the end of the combined 20-lap Final race.

Carangan suffered problems with her kart after the mad scramble that sent her down to sixth place and decided to just keep her pace than end up losing the needed points in her title bid.

“Undeniably, they gave more than their 100 percent and even displayed excellent racing judgment under such unfortunate incidents.   However, it was Lady Luck who laid the final decision. Thoughts on why we were denied of the victory may open more essential lessons valuable to the growth of our karters as far as their racing careers are concerned,” said AUTSRacing head coach Indy Villalon.

Auts Racing is powered by Kipling’s, BIREL Competition Karts, YAMAHA Winforce, Maynilad Water Services, Powerade Ion by Coca-Cola Bottlers, Kart Care Lubricants and FreeLine Go Kart Parts.

For those wishing to join AUTSRacing Team and other inquiries, interested parties may log on [email protected] or call Martin Alvendia at mobile +639188031036 <tel:%2B639188031036> .