Coseteng spearheads PH kart bid

MACAU—European circuit campaigner Eduardo “EJ” Coseteng heads the robust Philippine challenge against a topnotch international field when the decisive fourth and concluding leg of the Asian Karting Open Championships fires off on Thursday at Kartodromo de Coloane here.

Coseteng, who won the first of two Philippine legs at Carmona Racetrack in July but missed the third round due to a training gig in Italy, goes all out in a bid to keep the premier Formula 125 Seniors Open and X30 overall titles in Filipino hands.

The 16-year-old son of former car racing champion Jody Coseteng lies third in the standings with 118 points, 52 points behind Japanese leader Kaito Tsukada and a mere two off second-running Yang Liang of China going into the season closer sponsored by Petron and San Miguel Corp.

Defending series champion Jacob Ang, the big winner of the season’s opening leg at the same Kartodromo circuit, begged off this time. But a host of Filipino challengers, including John Dizon, Karl Wilhelm and Bianca Bustamante, will be around to provide Coseteng strong company.

Karters from Britain, Russia, Italy, Australia and Colombia will spice up the race.