MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion Stefano Marcelo of Maranello-Marcelo Racing made sure he won’t be denied of the distinction as the “Greatest All-Time Karting Champion” in Philippine Motorsports history.
Revisions in the rules jeopardized Marcelo’s title chances, forcing him to compete in both the championship rounds of the 2011 Petron Karting Super Series and the 2011 Denso KF2-KF3 Cup recently at the Carmona Circuit Philippines in Cavite.
Despite changes in points structure, the 19-year-old Stefano pulled through with a respectable finish and eventually emerged champion in both the Petron Karting Super Series and the 2011 Denso KF2-KF3 Cup.
With his fourth Karter of the Year Award, Stefano eclipsed the feats of Edgen Dy-Liacco and Pepon Marave who won the karting title thrice in their racing careers.
Marcelo won the top Karter plum with a total of 200 points or a 30-point lead over runner-up VJ Suba.
“The two-day event only proved that nobody can put a good man down and thank God, destiny really intervened,” said Stefano, who thanked his father John Marcelo, race engineer Jed Neri, his mechanics and his sponsors for their support.
Stefano dedicated his victory to his late grandfather and racing legend Eddie Marcelo who nurtured his career as a racing champ.