Rivera nails another nat'l karting double

MANILA, Philippines - Estefano Rivera of FERN-C Racing captured his second straight double-title feat that firmed up his hold of solo leadership recently in the third leg of the 2012 Philippine National Karting Series at the Boomland Kart Track of the CCP Complex in Pasay City.

After dominating last month’s race at the long and wide Batangas Racing Circuit, the 15-year-old Rivera proved his versatility and strategy on the short, narrow and tricky Boomland track as he bagged both the ROK Overall and ROK Junior crowns of this event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by Motorstar and Aeromed.

As expected, the race turned into a grueling duel between Rivera and his FERN-C Racing teammate VJ Suba who actually ruled the Final Race by just fractions of a second. However, Suba was slapped with a 10-second penalty for a red line violation that dragged him down to seventh and gave Rivera the outright ROK Overall victory.

Former Junior Karter of the Year Javi Benitez of Industria Racing checked in 3.897 seconds later for the ROK Overall runner-up honors while Sacha Feliciano of Marcelo Racing took third place.  Last year’s top junior karter Cebuano Jette Calderon of Industria Racing and comebacking Andres Calma of San Miguel Corporation completed the podium cast as they ended fourth and fifth, respectively.

Rivera likewise copped the ROK Junior title over Calderon and third placer Jaz Monzones of Natmo Asia-GP1 Racing.  Daniel Miranda of Cebuana Lhuillier-Marcelo Racing and birthday boy Matthew Chan of FERN-C Racing wound up fourth and fifth.

Benitez eventually claimed the ROK Senior crown over runner-up Sacha Feliciano and third placer Andres Calma.  CJ Tsui of Industria Racing finished fourth while VJ Suba landed fifth.

Feliciano also bagged the ROK Clubman title over Monzones.

Nike Mora of Red Bull Supreme continues to dominate the SQ Karting Race when he won the SQ Expert class over Jerry Choi Acuna and Red Bull Supreme teammate Don Batino; and likewise claimed the SQ Veteran crown over Acuna and third placer Michael Jordan.

Luis Gono copped the SQ Novice crown over runner-up Michael Jordan, third placer Jomar Ang of San Miguel and fourth placer Michael Bonafe.

Monzones, who fully recuperated from a wrist injury incurred in the last race, captured the Formula SL Expert plum over lady karter Yvana Carangan and third placer Wayne Darwin.

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 <http://www.asiankarting.com/>