Pinoy drivers have high hopes in F3

Filipino drivers are having high hopes in the continuation of the Asian Formula 3 Championships in two race tracks in Malaysia.

Held last week at the Sepang Circuit, and later this month in Johore, the AF3 Championships have attracted the best and the brightest in the region.

Organized by Asian Formula 3 Corp. (AF3), Formula Racing Development (FRD) and the Malaysian Motor Sports Club, the 2002 Asian Formula Challenge will bring together some of the best Formula 3 and Formula Renault drivers in the region to compete against each other on the most advanced road racing course in the world.

Expected to figure prominently in the Formula Renault race are Franky Cheng of China – current points leader; Filipino and championship contender Enzo Pastor of Team T.E; Francis Tija of the Netherlands; and Hong Kong’s Kenneth Ma and Henry Lee Jr.

No less than 20 cars formed up on the grid of the Sepang F1 Circuit, which played host to the second round of this year’s Formula One World Championship. The 5.542-kilometer long tract features an impressive array of medium to high speed corners with a healthy sprinkling of straights in between, the longest of which his 928 meters. Its wide roads make it difficult for drivers to judge their lines and braking points on all of its 15 turns. .

After Sepang, the 2002 Asian Formula Challenge will move onto Johore on Sept. 29 before finally swinging back to the Subic International Raceway in the Philippines on Oct. 27. The Philippine Leg, which is promoted by Colby Ventures Inc., is sponsored by FedEx Gate:SWATCH, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, RX 93.2 FM, Crossover 105.1 FM, Joey 92.3 FM, Red Horse Beer, Petron, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office, Casino Filipino; Pagcor, and Aspects Inc.