Calderon bags title in Macau karting

MANILA, Philippines - Cebuano Jette Calderon built speed on his way up in the final race to deliver the lone victory for the Philippines recently in the 2009 CIK-FIA World Karting Championship at the Kartodromo de Coloane Circuit in Macau.

Calderon, 13, turned back fancied rivals as he captured the Asian Karting Open Championship ROK Junior crown for the RP Team powered by Red White Racing of Indonesia, Department of Tourism and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Calderon finished only sixth in the pre-final heat but surged to the top as top guns Denzel Sofyan of Indonesia and Anderson Martomo, who finished 1-2 in the pre-final, faltered along the way.

His win put the Philippines in the spotlight as he proudly waved the Filipino flag during the victory parade together with runner-up Andy Chang Wing Chung of Macau and third placer Supanot Suwankham of Thailand.

“It’s one great experience and a big honor winning a big fight for the country,” said Calderon.

Two other Filipino karters – Roby Benito and Joey Orduna of Ready2Race Team – also made impressive finishes as they bagged unner-up and third place honors, respectively, in the Formula 125 Open Juniors class.