Young Benitez year’s best of the breed

JeT Racing team captain Javi Benitez wrapped up a banner year in his racing career as he emerged the winningest young racing champion, hauling four major trophies recently in the Golden Wheel Awards at the PagCor Grand Theater in Parañaque.

The Golden Wheel Awards feted the 13-year-old Benitez, a Grade 7 student of Xavier School, for his huge accomplishments last year in the local and international scene.

Javi captured the Philippine Junior Karter of the Year award and clinched the overall Asian Formula 125 Open Juniors plum of the 2007 Asian Karting Open Championship (AKOC).

With the support of Bingo Bonanza Corp., Henry Sy Jr. of SM companies, Willy Ocier of Pacific Online Systems Corp., Industria.com and Belle Corporation, Javi also bagged the ROK Juniors title and the Formula 125 Open Juniors crown in the local Shell Helix Karting Super Series.

“It’s been a wonderful banner year for my racing career.  These Golden Wheel trophies are fitting rewards for all the hardwork and struggles we went through last season, and I could have not made it without the support of my parents Albee and Nikki, coach Elson Carpio, my sponsors, mechanics and the whole JeT Racing crew,” said Benitez in receiving his Golden Wheel trophies.

“This is truly a big inspiration to work harder and achieve more milestones both here and abroad, and I’m looking forward to more Golden Wheels in the coming years,” he added.

Benitez will be starting his title-retention campaign in the coming kick-off of the 2008 Shell Helix Super Karting Series on March 8-9 at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

“I hope to surpass or at least equal my feats last year.  Aside from the local series, we’re also looking at getting the needed experience and exposure in some prestigious karting events abroad,” he added.