Sy logs fastest times but Mikola unfazed

Driving under overcast skies, Tyson Sy logged two of the fastest times in three practice runs so far, raising hopes he would do well during the qualifying session that will determine the grid positions for round 11 of the Asian Formula Three Grand Prix tomorrow at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

Using old tires like the rest of the pack, Sy clocked 1:27.625 and 1:27.394 in the first two practice runs last Thursday at the 3.4-kilometer BRC track and then clocked 1:29.747 yesterday as he geared up for the battle for grid positions today, with series leader Ananda Mikola of Indonesia and third-running James Winslow of Great Britain not far behind.

"My car is fine. We are still fine-tuning our setup and hopefully it will become better tomorrow," said Sy, 18, the lead driver of Speedtech Asia who is bidding for another golden double in the last two rounds of the nation-hopping series.

Mikola, of Fastron Racing with Threebond, clocked 1.29.895 in the first practice run yesterday after doing 1:27.975 and 1:45.969 last Thursday but was hardly alarmed by Sy’s show of force.

"I am here to finish the race and make the fans and my sponsors happy. I will avoid doing stupid things (during the actual race) so that I can be the series champion. Tyson is quick but that gives me no pressure," said the Indon ace, who leads the series with 127 points and needs just one runner-up finish in the last two rounds to claim the overall crown.

The last two races, sponsored by Addict Mobile, PLDT myDSL, Boysen Paints, Yokohama Tires and Lima Hotel, will be seen live on Studio 23, with the first race set at 10:30 a.m. to noon and the second race from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Racing enthusiasts can log on to www.asian3.net and www.mypad.net for regular updates. The media partners of the races are Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, K-Lite 103.5, Jam 88.9, 99.5 RT, Celebrity Connect Magazine and Manila Bulletin.

Sy is running second with 101 points and not even a sweep of rounds 11 and 12 — worth a combined 40 points — will assure him of the crown. For the Pinoy young gun to seize the title from the grasp of Mikola, the Indon must not finish higher than fifth in both races, an unlikely scenario given the fact that Mikola has brought the Japanese engineer of his car who has been instrumental in his five wins so far this season.

Winslow, driving for Shell Helix Kinetic PCSO, is running third with 100 points and is very much in the running. Like Sy, however, his only chance to win the crown is for Mikola and the Filipino ace not to figure in the top five of both races.

Winslow is aware the rivalry between Mikola and Sy "puts a lot of pressure" on the two, adding he is focused in his bid to win the overall crown.