Michelle, karting’s hottest belle, shows way

CARMONA, CAVITE–The Philippines, led by M&M racing’s Michelle Bumgarner, took a 1-2-3 finish in yesterday’s time trials of the 2003 Casino Filipino-Shell Asian Karting Open Championship at the Carmona Circuit Philippines here.

The 15-year-old Bumgarner, the country’s lone lady karter, logged a fastest time of 45.628 seconds in the time trials of the premiere Junior Intercontinental-A class of this event sponsored by Casino Filipino, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Bridgestone, Nokia, Denso-Iridium, Palmer Asia Inc. and Vivere Suite Hotel.

She will be taking the pole in today’s qualifying round—thus giving her good chances for a second straight win since her big victory in the kickoff of the Asian Karting Open Championships last August at the Sentul Karting Circuit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Matteo Guidecelli of Team Cebu-CRG claimed the No. 2 spot after clocking 45.693 seconds while Christian Barerro of Edgesports took third with a time of 46.187.

Indonesian top bet Ryan Anthony Monoarfa is fourth overall after logging a time of 46.267 while Marlon Stockinger of Birel-A3 Motorsports is fifth overall with 47.459 seconds.

"It will be a tough race," said Bumgarner. "The Indonesians are very fast but we’ll try our best."

Topping the other divisions are Indonesians Zahir Ali and Arya Setyaki.

Ali took the pole for today’s qualifying round after clocking a fast 42.872 seconds in the Formula 100 Open. The Philippines’ Tyson Sy of Demvels is second with 43.391 seconds while another Filipino, Dado Peña, is third overall with 43.487 seconds.

Mohd Rohairijaz Bin Ropin is fourth overall with 43.669 seconds while Singapore’s David Cunningham is fifth with 44.701.

Setyaki will take the No. 1 spot in the Formula Rotax Max Seniors, registering a time of 44.521 seconds.

Lee Bumgarner only claimed the No. 2 spot with a time of 44.577 seconds while Marcel Thenu is third with 44.694.

JP Carino is fourth overall with 44.701 while Satya Rasa of Indonesia is fifth with 44.730.