While the big names in Philippine karting took center stage in the prestigious Formula 125 classes, Cebuano karter Peterson Lim managed to steal some of the thunder as he won the SQ 125 Seniors Class in the 2011 Asia Karting Open Championships held recently at the Carmona Race Circuit in Cavite.
The Philippines’ Estefano Rivera and the comebacking Alessandra Madrigal delivered the goods for the country even as Andrew Tang of Singapore caught the biggest fish by coming away with the overall championship in the second leg of the Asian karting circuit.
The 13-year old Rivera won the elite Formula 125 Open Junior crown as he finished with a total time of 19 minutes and 9.244 seconds, a long way ahead of second placer Daim Hishammudin of Singapore. Toby Earle of Thailand ended up in third.
Another Cebuano pride, Jette Calderon, the reigning Karter of the Year, finished in fifth place.
Madrigal, on the other hand, came all the way from 17th place to finish in second behind Tang in the premier Formula 125 Open Seniors class.
Tang ended up with a time of 23 minutes and 55.418 to prevail over Madrigal and Kittitat Vongprai of CRG-Thailand in the 28-lap final heat.
Meanwhile, Lim showed his mastery of the slippery race conditions which were brought about by the rain as he won over Don Batino and John Effinger to claim the SQ Seniors title, becoming the only Cebuano to bring home a title in the prestigious racing circuit.
The other winners were Kush Maini of India, who copped the Mini-ROK. Gabe Tayao Cabrera topped the SQ Cadet class. Also winning were Sacha Feliciano, who claimed the Yamaha Cup Novice title.
The third leg will be held in Indonesia in October.