Bustamante top Pinay finisher in Asian karting

MANILA, Philippines - Bianca Denise Bustamante turned in a pair of impressive finishes in the Macau leg of the Asian Karting Open Championships, placing second in the SQ Cadet and emerging the top Filipino finisher at third in the Asian Mini-ROK class at Kartodromo de Coloane Circuit recently.

The eight-year-old karter of Formula-E Racing stunned the field and wowed the crowd with her guts and determination in her first international stint, bucking a limited practice session that led to a so-so stint in the qualifying time trials of the Asian Mini-ROK class.

But the third grade student of Southville International School fought back and worked her way up in the pre-final race, grabbing third place then needed another big comeback after dropping to eighth after the polesetter suffered engine problems.

Drawing inspiration from the cheering crowd, Bustamante waged a fierce rally to check in fourth in the Final race then eventually wound up third following the disqualification of the winner.

In the SQ Cadet class, Bustamante went off at second in the pre-final race and wrested the top spot only to take an early exit after snapping a chain in the second lap of the 10-lap race.

But her team, led by her dad Raymond Bustamante and Carlo Nocos, quickly made the repairs and adjustment then Bustamante rallied from seventh to finish second in the 15-lap final race, just 0.166 of a second behind the winner.