Two-time Underbone defending champion Masato Fernando and McKinley Kyle Paz posted crucial victories in the Race 5 recently at Batangas Racing Circuit to vault in front of the overall derby in the underbone and scooter series, respectively, of the 2017 FDR Racing Championships.
Fernando made up for his disqualification in Race 4 with a gritty performance in the 150cc Open race, prevailing this time by 0.254 of a second over Tracy Soyangco.
With the win, Fernando passed Gian Carlo Mauricio, the sensational rookie who topped Race 4, in the underbone series with 109.5 points. Fifth place pulled Mauricio down a rung to second overall with 105.
Paz topped his first race of the season in the 180cc PSR Open division, catapulting him into the overall lead with 117.5, a good 15.5 points clear of Fernando. —STEVE SILVA