INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Estefano Rivera bagged the ROK Novice crown in the sizzling kickoff leg of the 2010 Magnolia Purewater Karting Super Series recently at the Carmona Race Track in Carmona, Cavite.

The 12-year-old Rivera finished second twice behind two-time champion Stefano Marcelo in the time trials and qualifying race. But rookie mistakes eventually pulled down the graduating JASMS Manila student to fourth in the pre-final and sixth in the finals.

Still, Rivera went on to capture the ROK Novice crown clocking 14 minutes and 50.047 seconds in the 20-lap race, 2.927 seconds ahead of Gab Dacasin. Cebu?s Jette Calderon took third place.

Rivera also wound up third in the ROK Junior class behind Franco Reyes and Joey Orduna, the reigning Karter of the Year.

?It?s a good start, a learning experience for me,? said Rivera.

Rookie Carl Pollington took Mini-ROK crown in 12:13.921. He topped both time trials and qualifying heat and was second behind teammate Aira Medrano in the pre-final. In the finals, he beat Marc Meynet by 4.404 seconds. George Lizares, contributor