McLelland gives oldies tough stand

MANILA, Philippines - Sean Draeco Valbuena McLelland upstaged the top favorites to capture two podium finishes in the second leg of the 2013 Coca-Cola Karting Super Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

The 12-year-old McLelland banked on his consistent driving and defensive strategy to stick close to the top guns and clinch third runner-up honors in both the Formula Cadet Expert and Mini-ROK classes.

McLelland shrugged off a dismal start in the qualifying heat as he went more aggressive in the pre-final heat,  keeping a close pace then cashing in on the opportunities to move up.

 He went on to win the pre-final race, just 0.211 of a second ahead of Jose Luigi Lachica as race leaders Flynn Jackes and Eduardo “EJ” Coseteng figured in a collision. But McLelland cracked under pressure as his rivals overtook him on both sides of the wide track and wound up sixth overall.

McLelland also fought back from seventh in the Mini-ROK in the qualifying to fifth place in the Pre-Finals before winding up third runner-up behind the fancied bets.