Ready2Race back with a vengeance

MANILA, Philippines - The Ready2Race team bounced back with a bang following its big harvest of three wins, three runner-up and three third places recently in the second leg of the 2009 Magnolia Super Karting Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

Stalwarts Joey Orduna, comebacking Von Medrano and Hongkong guest driver Matthew Solomon, powered the big triumphs for the Ready2Race team supported by Tuason Racing School, Tony Kart , OTK parts, HJC Auto Helmets, Sparco Racing, AIM Racing gauges, Oakley Race Gear, Golden Harvest Integrated Services and Shipping, BANPU , Barwil-Smith Bell Shipping, Rio-Tinto, FARM and Ford Batangas.

Orduna, 13, delivered the most impressive feat as he captured the ROK Junior and ROK Overall crowns by beating all the senior ROK Overall drivers in the combined race.

Though he was only fourth in the qualifying time trials, he dashed his way up to sweep the qualifying heat, the pre-final and the final race.

He clocked eight minutes and 54.292 seconds in the seven-lap race to prevail over ROK Junior runner-up Andres Calma. and third placer Roby Benito.

Orduna diced against teammate Roby Benito and John Alvarez early in the race and all it took was a crucial dive on Alvarez on the sixth lap to wrest the lead for good and claim the checkered flag.

Another Ready2Race karter Juha Turalba managed to squeeze his way in to check in second and finish as the runner-up in the ROK Overall class clocking 8:55.092 or just 0.80 of a second behind Orduna.

Von Medrano also did a superb job clinching his second straight triumph in the Formula SL Heavy crown while Solomon steered Ready2Race to a powerful 1-2-3 finish in the ROK Novice class together with runner-up Brian del Val and Jennifer Tumambing.

“We’re happy that the team is back on its winning form. Our drivers really gave their best despite the challenge of the wide track and the equally competitive field. Hopefully this trend continues in the coming races,” said Ready2Race team manager Chito Benito.

Also delivering podium finishes for R2R were Roby Benito who took third place in the ROK Junior division, Aira Medrano who checked in second in the Baby ROK class and Baby ROK third placer Joseph Tumambing who was leading at the start but figured in a collision with teammate Basti Escalante.

Even guest drivers Daniel Park of Korea and Hongkong drivers CJ Tsui and Matthew Chan likewise unveiled amazing performances in their respective divisions.

Park wound up fourth in the Formula SL Novice division while Chan and Tsui clocked fast laptimes of 1:28.134 and 1:29.951 respectively despite being first timers in the event.