Marcelo virtual winner of Karter of Year award

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Stefano Marcelo of Maranello-San Miguel Corporation-Marcelo Racing made history following his victory, which virtually gave him his fourth Karter of the Year award recently in the sixth and penultimate leg of the 2011 Petron Blaze Karting Super Series set Sept. 24-25 at the Clark International Speedway.

It was one dramatic race as VJ Suba of Fern-C Racing dominated the first two heats.

But Marcelo, who finished third and fifth in the qualifying and pre-final heats, saved his best for last for the crucial win that made him the one of the greatest all-time champs in Philippine karting.

“It’s worth all the pressures. I thought we won’t have it done in this round but God really had plans for me. Everything went smooth in the final race to capture our fourth Karter of the Year award,” said Marcelo after the race.

Starting fifth on the grid, Marcelo quickly romped to the No. 2 spot at the first turn, wrested the lead from Suba on the third lap and never looked back from there.

The event is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Petron Blaze 100, San Miguel Corp., Denso Iridium Power, Motorstar Eastway and Yokohama Philippines.

Suba suddenly slowed down in the ensuing stage as Marcelo wrapped up the eight-lap race in nine minutes and 20.544 seconds or 2.167 seconds ahead of Fern-C Racing’s Estefano Rivera.

Franco Reyes of Industria Racing bagged third place while Milo River of Fern-C Racing and Archim Lagman wound up fourth and fifth respectively.

Marcelo is now way ahead in the title race with a total of 351 points up against Suba and Reyes who now tallied 243 and 201 points. He also leads the ROK Senior division with 381 against Suba and Reyes who holds 283 and 274 points respectively.

Estefano Rivera also achieved and incredible feat rallying from seventh place to clinch the ROK Junior title over Industria Racing bets Reyes and CJ Tsui.

Also hugging the limelight were Cebuano Tonyo Carcel of AUTS Racing and Sacha Feliciano.

Carcel ruled the Formula SL Expert class over John Castelar and Archim Lagman while Feliciano again topped the Formula SL Novice division over Jaz Monzones of Natmo Asia-GP1 Racing and Basti Escalante of Tuason Racing.

The championship leg is set Nov. 19 at the Carmona Racetrack.

For more info, interested parties may call the Carmona Racetrack c/o Rose Feria at 845-0745, 889-3389, 845-3287 and 845-4142 or visit the website www.asiankarting.com.