After winning the coveted Karter of the Year title, prodigious racer Juan Antonio “Tonyo” Carce, vowed to come back stronger and faster next year in a bid to defend his hard-fought title in spite of the fact that he will be going to college already.
Time and schedule constraints and all, Carcel promised that even if he can’t race in Manila anymore because of school, he will never stop competing here in Cebu, where he has made a name for himself as one of the most promising karters since racer-turned-actor Matteo Guidicelli.
He said this and more after receiving the Karter of the Year award during the awarding ceremonies of the Kartzone Superkart Series at the Harold’s Hotel along Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City.
“I’m still racing next season, going to defend my title. I’d want to go higher, but it’s the highest here in Cebu. Will be in college next year and I don’t think I can join in Manila anymore,” said Carcel.
The youngster from PAREF Springdale captured the crown in the most exciting of fashion. Down by five points heading to the final leg, Carcel turned it up a notch and in a finish as dramatic as any could be, he willed his way to the checkered flag in spite starting the final race from the back because of an infraction during the second heat.
He finished with a time of 11 minutes, 37.661 seconds, beating his closest rival and the Karter of the Year for the past three years, Jette Calderon, who had a time of 11:40.906.
Carcel racked up 35 points in the seventh and final leg of the circuit to total 270 points, a mere three points ahead of Calderon, to take the Karter of the Year plum.
Carcel is planning to go to college at the Cebu Doctor’s University. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop. I dedicate this award to God, my parents (Neil and Mia), and my sister (fellow racer, Kali). It took very hard work and perseverance to get this award. I wanted this award so bad, I wouldn’t leave the track without setting a fast lap time,” added Carcel.