MANILA—Tough gear Racing’s Sacha Feliciano shrugged off the wet conditions and ruled the Yamaha Cup in the Asian Karting Open Championship recently at the Carmona Racetrack.
Also emerging victorious was the One Racing Team, which shone behind Daniel Castaneda and Jon Julian.
The 17-year-old Feliciano handled the wet track expertly to lift both the Novice and Overall trophies.
The charming karter started conservatively, tucked behind Joseph Marwin Rojo before making her move in the fourth lap to seize the lead. Rojo later spun out of the race due to the non-stop downpour. Big-named karters Jaz Monzones, Joseph Castelar and Basti Escalante gave chase but Feliciano held them all off with an uncanny display of consistency and control.
“It was difficult to see and the track was very slippery because of the rain. That’s why I tried so hard to keep focused and avoid mistakes,” Feliciano said. “I’d like to thank my coach, Edgen Dy-Liacco and the Tough Gear crew for preparing my kart. I’d also like to dedicate this win to my parents and family, who have always been there for me since I started racing.”
Castaneda and Julian powered a harvest of two champion trophies, two runners-up, two third places and two fourth place finishes for One Racing (formerly Ready2Race).
Castaneda and Julian steered a strong 1-2 finish in the SQ Novice class where they even upstaged other Expert karters in the combined race. Teammate, Fernan Gapuz claimed fourth place.
Jose Luigi Lachica showed big promise as he copped third place in the SQ Cadet Novice class ahead of all other Expert rivals on his very first competitive race.