Watanabe new superbikes king

CLARK, Philippines – Young teen sensation Dashi Watanabe of Aprilia put  a thrilling climax to the season with a close victory over  defending champion Raniel Resuello to emerge new superbikes king recently in the jampacked finals of the 2013 Bridgestone Philippine Superbikes Series at the Clark International Speedway.

He wrapped up the six-leg series with  147 points after bagging five wins and a runner-up finish to win the overall superbikes open crown.

The event is part of the 2013 Petronas Philippine Motorsports Championships Season sanctioned by Superbikes Racing Association and sponsored by Petronas, Bridgestone as the official superbikes tires and media partners Racing Beat@Wave 89.1, Inside Motoring @DZRJ810khz and Motorsiklo Xklusibo@DZME 1530.

It wasn’t a good day for Resuello, of Ducati RAR Castrol Motolite Racing Team, who tried to push his bikes to the limit but went out of control as he overshot the third corner on the second lap and slipped down to seventh place.

He got a second chance to push his win when race officials halted the action due to an accident involving Johnlery Enriquez. At the resumption of the race, he staged a rousing rally that got him back close behind Watanabe on the next lap.

The duel took an exciting turn as Resuello, patiently waiting for the perfect timing, finally wrested the top spot in the second-to-the last turn of the final lap. But the quick-thinking Watanabe immediately got  himself back in the inside lane which gave him better chances to regain the lead.

His move jilted Resuello who suffered a spill that sent his 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale plowing into the grassy area as Watanabe went on to seize the checquered flag and formally claim the title.

Details: Batangas Racing Circuit c/o Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at (632) 729-724142, 729-5365 or fax 844-7766, Mobile No. 0922-8858410.