Benito eyes to defend win in EK karting leg

MANILA, Philippines - Young karters brace for an exciting showdown as they try to fortify their title bids today in the fifth leg of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater Karting Super Series at the Enchanted Kingdom Kart Trak in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Ready2Race bet Roby Benito aims to defend his win at the Enchanted Kingdom last year as he guns for a career milestone in this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Magnolia Purewater, San Miguel Corp., Petron Corp., Yokohama Tires, Motorstar and Aeromed.

Benito, who’s turning 16 this October, is seeking to win both the Junior Karter of the Year and Karter of the Year awards in a single season after teammate Joey Orduna achieved the same feat last year.

Benito currently leads the ROK Junior class and ranks close second to two-time champ Stefano Marcelo of Maranello-San Miguel Corp.-Marcelo Racing in the ROK overall class.

But close behind him in the race for the ROK Junior crown are Franco Reyes of Jet Racing, Cebuanos Jette Calderon and Tonyo Carcel, Estefano Rivera of Fern-C Racing and Christian Villenueve of Maranello-SMC-Marcelo Racing.

Reyes poses as Benito’s biggest threat.

 As he has proven himself as the top Filipino winner of the Asian Karting Open Championship in Carmona.

Calderon is third overall and also leads the the ROK Novice division. He sees this race as a perfect tune-up for his forthcoming stint as an official Philippine bet in the World ROK Championship in Lonato , Italy this October.

Carcel and Rivera are in fourth and fifth in the ROK Junior and likewise ranks second and third in the ROK Novice division.

The said race is part of the annual Enchanted Kingdom Motorsports Week that showcases exciting karting action and intense underbone motorcycle racing on August 28-29.

Also seeking crucial wins are Aira Medrano of FERN-C Racing, Christian Gaddi of Jet Racing and Joseph Castelar of AUTS Racing.

Medrano hopes to stay on top of the Mini-ROK class against teammate Carl Pollington, Joseph Tumambing of Ready2Race and Marc Meynet.

Gaddi tries to preserve his lead in the Formula SL Novice class against CJ Tsui of Ready2Race, Joseph Marvin Rojo, Ayrton Cuesta and FERN-C Racing bets Sacha Feliciano and Matthew Chan.

Castelar will be gunning for another big win in the Formula SL Expert class against brother John, AUTS Racing teammate Indy Villalon, Yvana Carangan and Tonyo Carcel and Kim Lagman.

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