Young stars gear up for showdown in national karting series kickoff

MANILA, Philippines - Top young guns gear up for another crowd-drawing intense showdown as the 2015 National Karting Super Series kicks off today at the Carmona Racetrack.

Jacob Ang and Eduardo Coseteng Jr. of Eagle Cement gun for the crucial win to secure solo leaderships in their respective classes in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Yokohama the official tires.

Ang seeks to preserve his supremacy in the KF Junior division while Coseteng aims to duplicate his double victory to firm up his hold of the top spots in both the Mini-ROK and the KF Restricted classes.

Ang, hailed as the 2014 Clubman Karter of the Year, showed he has improved a lot more when he dominated the first three legs up against Larco Cortez of Formula-E Racing, newcomer Sam Grimes of CityKart, John Dizon, Tai Zulberti and Draeco McLelland.

He was headed for a sweep when problems with his kart spoiled his bid and paved the way for Cortez to win in Race 4 with Grimes and Dizon checking in runner-up and third placer, respectively.

Coseteng Jr., showing great potential to follow in the footsteps of his father and multi-titled car racing champion Jody Coseteng, proved he got what it takes as the future of Phl Motorsports as he survived the grueling four-way battle against Flynn Jackes and Bobby Redpath of Team Kart Master Drakar-Singapore and the fast-Improving Rap Rap Gutierrez.

Dicing for the lead against the three, he made the crucial move to grab the top spot and seize the checquered flag.

He prevailed over Jackes in Race 1 and later turned back Gutierrez in Race 2 of the Mini-ROK class.

In the KF Restricted, engine problems forced Coseteng Jr. to slow down and settle for third place behind Jackes and Redpath but redeemed himself by winning Race 2.

Also hoping to repeat their feats are Constantin Reisch in the Cadet Novice class and Joaquin Garrido in the Cadet Expert.