Goddard fancied against top RP drivers in Subic

British Mark Goddard is the top favorite, but Filipino drivers Jojo Silverio, Philip Alvendia, Richard Joson and Pepon Marave are expected to provide the biggest challenge in the second leg of the Philippine Asian Formula 3 Challenge at the Subic International Raceway this weekend.

Goddard put up a near-flawless performance against his equally-talented Filipino rivals as he swept the first two rounds in this prestigious 12-part series also sponsored by Ford Philippines, Casino Filipino, RX 93.1 and Forest Hills (Subic).

A full-time member of the British Racing Drivers Club, Goddard clocked the best time of 20:43.482 in the 15-lap race held at the Batangas Racing Circuit last April 29, including the fastest lap time of 1:14.083.

Although Subic may pose an entirely new challenge, Goddard has had plenty of success in the 2.8-kilometer circuit built on the former American naval base.

Goddard, who also served as safety driver in both the Formula 1 and World Touring Car Championships, shared the limelight with Quick Hunnisett driver Daynom Teppleman of New Zealand by winning one race each during the 1999 Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS).

Silverio was the best-placed Filipino entry in the Batangas race, clocking a personal-best time of 20:45.216 in finishing second to Goddard in the second round. His fastest lap time was 1:14.135.

Alvendia, who finished second to Goddard in the first round, had a total time of 27:43.971. His fastest lap time, however, was 1:16.028.

Joson and Marave are also expected to make their presence felt following respectable third-place finishes in the 2.9-kilometer and 15-meter wide circuit in Batangas.

Joson, who finished third behind Goddard and Alvendia in the first round, had a personal-best lap time of 1:15.746, while Marave, who came in third in the second round, boasts of a fast time of 1:15.784.

Formula 3 is a popular race category in motorsports-crazy European countries such as England, Germany, France and Italy. It is also generally regarded as a stepping stone to Formula 1.

The Philippine Asian Formula 3 will be shown simultaneously in the "Asian Motorsports Review" on CNBC Sports Asia and ABC Channel 5.

For sponsorship inquiries, call Ike Gangoso of Kart 1 Media Productions at CTC Bldg., 2232 Roxas Blvd., Manila with tel. no. 551-8107.