Eight Pinoys take pole in Asian Karting Open

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines – Eight Filipinos, led by ace karter Stefano Marcelo of TonyKart-San Miguel Corporation-Marcelo Racing, take pole positions in today’s pre-final event of the 2009 Asian Karting Open Championship Series and Magnolia Pure Water Karting Super Series at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

Marcelo put the Philippines in a favorable situation as he topped the qualifying time trials and all three qualifying heats in this event sponsored by Magnolia Pure Water, Petron, San Miguel Corp., Pagcor Sports, Denso Iridium Power, Palmer Asia Inc., Vivere Hotel, Red White Racing of Indonesia managed by Stanley Iriawan, Aeromed, Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Tourism.

He and another Filipino, reigning Asian ROK champion Juha Turalba, will be taking a 1-2 start in today’s pre-final of the Formula 127 Open Seniors and the KF2 classes up against Thai karter Pasin Lathouras and Jet Racing’s Javi Benitez who will start third and fourth, respectively.

Defending champion Tin Sritrai will start at No. 7 spot behind Malaysian Senna Sulaiman Noor and KF2 frontrunner John Alvarez of Maranello-San Miguel Corp.-Marcelo Racing but Marcelo believes it’s not a reason to be complacent.

“I think they’re just taking it slow and will show their true form in the pre-final and final heat,” said Marcelo. “For me, what’s important is I’ll give the best to deliver the title for our country.”

The other Filipinos taking the pole positions in this event sanctioned by the CIK and the Automobile Association of the Philippines are Roby Benito in the Formula 125 Open Junior and KF3 divisions, VJ Suba of PCR-Tough Gear Racing in the Yamaha Cup Seniors and teammate Estefano Rivera in the Yamaha Cup Junior, Rehis Romero of Jet Racing in the ROK Senior, Marino Sato in the Mini-ROK, Vrei-AR Suba of PCR-Tough Gear Racing in the ROK Junior and Carl Pollington Jr. of PCR-Tough Gear Racing in the Cadet 60.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping, Carmona Mayor Roy Loyola and Automobile Association Philippines Motorsports Committee Chairman Mandy Eduque will keynote the short ceremony at 11:30 p.m. as a prelude to the Final races set at 1:30 p.m.

Taking the other top spots are Victor Wijaya Susilo of Indonesia in the Rotax Max Senior, Malaysian Andy Chang Wing Chung in the Rotax Max Junior, and Malaysian Gary Mumford in the Rotax Max Veteran.

For further details, interested parties may contact Carmona Circuit Philippines c/o Rose Feria at 817-2241.