Kart wreckers debut with key wins

MANILA, Philippines - Champion karters Gabriel Cabrera, Raymond Cudala, Dylan Arambulo and Draeco Abalajon, now officially known as the Kart Wreckers, fired off the race year with big feats recently in the kickoff leg of the 2012 Petron Karting Super Series at the Carmona Race Track.

The group adopted their name from Cam Wreckers, the Philippines’ first official motor racing club whose members have etched a name in motorsports. Hoping to duplicate the achievements of their older counterparts, the Kart Wreckers are backed by Fern-C, Seaoil, Radiant Systems, Buendia Color Paint Center, Ministop V.I.P. Suites and Uno Magazine.

Cabrera clinched the champion’s trophy in the Mini-ROK class with a personal best laptime of 49.66 in the pre-finals and 53.24 on a semi-wet track in the finals despite having to make do with a bent chassis after an accident in the pre-race.

Cudala finished runner-up in the Formula SL Novice class, his title bid ruined by a collision in the finals.  

Cudala nevertheless was able to showcase his stellar driving skills, besting his division rivals and upper-class counterparts by clocking in the best lap time at 53.318 during the finals.  

Arambulo finished second in the qualifying heat with a laptime of 52.821 seconds and topped the pre-finals in 59.25.  

Leading the Cadet Expert class early in the race, Arambulo was likewise gunning for the championship until he also figured in a collision during the finals.

Abalajon also showcased impressive driving skills under the Cadet Novice class by bagging runner-up honors.  

Despite only having a few pre-race practices, he proved detractors wrong during his national race debut by hitting the 54-second mark like his more experienced rivals.   Just like Cabrera, Abalajon also had make to make the most of his bent chassis due to a crash during a pre-race practice.  His consistent driving and fighting spirit prevailed throughout the race despite having to race on a wet track for the first time.   

The Kart Wreckers are looking forward to another heated race at second leg of the series to be held at the Batangas Racing Circuit next month.