Foreign karters here for Asian tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Preparations are underway for the biggest international karting event dubbed the 2009 Asian Karting Open Championship Series and Magnolia Pure Water Karting Super Series set July 17-19 at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

The 1.3-kilometer homologated track has been slightly refurbished to add challenge to the high-quality racing action and ensure the success of this event sponsored by Magnolia Pure Water, Petron, San Miguel Corporation, Pagcor Sports, Denso Iridium Power, Palmer Asia Inc., Vivere Hotel, Red White Racing of Indonesia owned by Stanley Iriawan, Aeromed, Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Tourism.

The bulk of the foreign delegation from Macau, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Hongkong is set to arrive tomorrow. Organizers prepared a welcome dinner and a short ceremony on Friday at the Vivere Hotel, official home of the visiting karters.

RP’s ace karter Stefano Marcelo of TonyKart-San Miguel Corp.-Marcelo Racing is yet to confirm his participation in the event since his grandfather, the great racing legend Eddie Marcelo passed away recently.

But Juha Turalba of Ready2Race, the reigning Asian ROK champion, is ready to take over the role as the country’s best bet for the Asian Karting crown in this motorsports spectacle sanctioned by the world governing CIK and Automobile Association Philippines.