Calma, Solomon prevail in karting series

MANILA, Philippines - Andres Calma of AUTS Racing-San Miguel and Hongkong-based Matthew Solomon of Ready2Race unveiled separate victories recently in the kickoff of the 2009 Philippine Karting Super Series at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

Calma, son of PBA great Hector Calma, displayed maturity and defensive skills to rule the ROK Junior class while Solomon, a frequent competitor in local karting races, showed vast improvement as he upstaged older rivals to win the ROK Novice class.

Solomon is just one of the six foreign karters who competed in the event. The others are Hongkong-based Christian Villanueve and Ready2Race Korean guest driver Daniel Park in the Formula SL Novice, Japanese Marino Sato and Malaysian Darma Hutomo in the Mini-ROK Class and Filipino-British Carl Pollington of PCR-Tough Gear Racing, a first-time racer who topped the Baby-ROK division (formerly Cadet 60) over Ready2Race locals Aira Medrano and Joseph Tumambing.

The presence of these foreign karters elevated the level of competition in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored Palmer Asia Inc. – The Fire and Security Expert, Motorstar and Aeromed.

Calma put up a good show finishing fourth overall behind three ROK Overall drivers to turn back Jet Racing’s Franco Reyes and Ready2Race bet Joey Orduna.

He clocked 17 minutes, 34.088 seconds or nearly three seconds ahead of Reyes and finished ahead of three other ROK Overall drivers.

Solomon, on the other hand, wrapped up the 20-lap combined race in 17:54.617 to prevail over Ready2Race teammates Jennifer Tumambing and Brian del Val.

Jette Calderon also finished behind three Formula SL Expert drivers in the combined race to capture victory in the Formula SL Novice class with a time of 16:20.578.