Zulberti, Lachica dominate Coke karting

MANILA, Philippines - Tai Zulberti of CityKart and Jose Luigi Lachica of One Racing flashed top form to top their respective divisions in the kickoff leg of the 2013 Coca-Cola Karting Super Series at the Carmona Racetrack in Cavite recently.

Zulberti, last year’s Formula Cadet champion, bested a talent-laden field to rule the Mini-ROK division while Lachica, the 2012 Formula Cadet Novice titlist, triumphed in his Formula Cadet Expert outing in the event sponsored by Coca-Cola Philippines and Yokohama, and sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines.

Zulberti finished second to fancied Flynn Jackes of Tuason Racing but rebounded in the pre-finals where he turned back Jackes by just 0.643 of a second. He later put up a dominating performance in the final race to capture the Mini-ROK plum with a 12-minute, 0.758-second clocking.

He finished 1.743 seconds ahead of William Casequin of Tuason Racing while Dylan Arambulo of Tough Gear placed third. Sean Draeco McLelland and Mickey Jordan ended up fourth and fifth, respectively with Jackes finishing last due to engine problem.

Lachica later upstaged Jackes as he copped the Formula Cadet Expert title by 1.018 of a second.

Finishing only third in the pre-final race, Lachica fought back in the final, seizing the lead in the last four laps en route to victory in the 15-lap race in 13 minutes and 0.487 seconds.

McLelland placed third place while Bianca Bustamante of Formula-E Racing and Mickey Jordan of CityKart ended fourth and fifth, respectively.

Gabe Tayao-Cabrera bagged the Formula SL Novice crown, beating over Arthur Tuason of Tuason Racing and Mark Francis Tanlu of AUTS Racing while Bobby Redpath of AUTS Racing ruled the Formula Cadet Novice race over Jarred Kim and Julia de los Angeles.