Marcelo, Calderon reign in Petron karting

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Stefano Marcelo of Maranello-Marcelo Racing and Cebuano Jette Calderon of Industria Racing bagged the top awards in the Petron Karting Super Series and the Denso KF2-KF3 Cup Series over the weekend at the Carmona Racetrack.

Marcelo captured an unprecedented fourth Karter of the Year plum in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines and sponsored by Petron Blaze, San Miguel Corporation, Motorstar and Aeromed.

Calderon, meanwhile, clinched the Junior Karter of the Year award, winning over teammate Franco Reyes and FERN-C Racing bets Estefano Rivera and Vrei-AR Suba.

The Petron Karting Super Series and the Denso KF2-KF3 Cup determined the recipients of the two top awards based on cumulative points.

Marcelo copped the Karter of the Year diadem with a cumulative total of 200 points. VJ Suba came in second with 170 points followed by Franco Reyes (140) and Milo Rivera (120).

Calderon and Vrei-AR Suba both gained 180 points, but the Cebuano prevailed in the count-back tiebreak system.

Calderon won the championship round of the 2011 Petron Karting Super Series, bucking the tough challenge of FERN-C Racing’s Estefano Rivera to capture both the ROK Overall and ROK Junior crowns.

Finishing 0.019 behind Rivera in the Pre-Finals, the young Cebuano ace made sure he won’t be denied in the final, banking on his consistent driving and solid defensive maneuvers.

He completed the 20-lap race in 14 minutes, 51,422 seconds or 1.315 seconds ahead of Rivera in the combined ROK races.

VJ Suba of FERN-C Racing checked in third in the ROK Overall while Reyes and Suba ended fourth and fifth, respectively.

Reyes took third place in the ROK Junior class behind Calderon and Rivera with Suba and CJ Tsui placing fourth and fifth, respectively.

VJ Suba also emerged champion in the ROK Seniors race over runner-up Franco Reyes, third placer Stefano Marcelo, fourth placer Renz Pazcoguin of Industria Racing and Jonathan Huotari.

CJ Tsui likewise showed marked improvement in winning the ROK Novice class over Daniel Miranda of Cebuana Lhuillier-Marcelo Racing and Matthew Chan of FERN-C Racing.

However, that wasn’t enough to stop Chan from claiming the overall ROK Novice crown and the season’s Clubman Karter of the Year award.

Young kids also showed their stuffs with Tai Zulberti and Gabe Cabrera ruling their respective divisions.

Zulberti copped the SQ Cadet Invitational Expert crown over Tuason Racing’s Flynn Jackes and third placer Jacob Chamness. Arthur Tuason checked in fourth while Tuason Racing teammate William Casequin wound up fifth.

For more info, call the Carmona Racetrack (Rose Feria) at 845-0745, 889-3389, 845-3287 and 845-4142 or visit the website www.asiankarting.com <http://www.asiankarting.com/>