Marcelo back in form, sweeps 3 races

MANILA, Philippines - Two-time champ Stefano Marcelo of San Miguel Corporation-Maranello-Marcelo Racing flashed his usual top form as he pulled off a sweep of all three races in the kickoff of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater Karting Super Series recently at the Carmona Race Track.

The 17-year-old Marcelo kept the lead to the finish to capture both the ROK overall and ROK senior crowns of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Magnolia Purewater, San Miguel Corp., Petron Corp, Denso Iridium Power, Motorstar and Aeromed.

Posting a fastest laptime of 43.750 seconds, he wrapped up the 20-lap race in 14 minutes and 29.502 seconds or a far 2.959 seconds ahead of Juha Turalba of Ready2Race and third placer Javi Benitez of Jet Racing in the ROK Senior division.

Franco Reyes of Jet Racing also delivered a big show as he not only ruled the ROK Junior class but also wound up third in the ROK overall behind Marcelo and Turalba.

Defending champion Joey Orduna, who was already experiencing problems at the start of the race, finished second to Reyes in the ROK Junior and fourth in the ROK overall division.

More than 60 karters competed in the event as Automobile Association Philippines chairman Mandy Eduque declared the games open in the simple opening ceremony and paid his tribute to two Philippine Motorsports legends – Pocholo Ramirez and Eddie Marcelo.

AUTS Racing brothers Joseph and John Castelar likewise displayed big improvements following their 1-2 finish over perennial champion Indy Villalon in the Formula SL Expert class.