SEAN Draeco Valbuena McLelland showed his potential as a future champ by bagging two trophies in the recent Formula Cadet Cup at Carmona Racetrack.
The 11-year-old McLelland, a student of The Seed Montessori in Quezon City, captured the overall runner-up crowns of the Formula Cadet Novice and the Formula Cadet Expert classes after consistently finishing second in the final two legs of the said event.
Draeco’s racing dreams started at age 3 when he told his parents he wants to be an F1 driver someday.
His dad Brad Lee, who flies in from abroad to watch his every race, and mom MJ got him in a karting clinic late last year and were convinced of his natural racing talents. After only six practices and with no formal training, Sean earned their nod to join actual races.
He finished among the top five Formula Cadet Novice karters in the 2012 Coca-Cola Karting Super Series highlighting his campaign with a runner-up crown in the Carmona kickoff and three third place finishes in Batangas, the first Asian Karting Open race and at the Enchanted Kingdom.
Under the guidance of renowned veteran coach and race engineer Elson Carpio of Formula-E Racing Management, the Formula Cadet Cup showcased a much-improved Draeco McLelland.
“Draeco really has that natural skills, but without anybody giving him the direction, it will all go to waste. I’m glad he’s with us now. With advance training, better understanding how the kart works and strengthening his focus, he will make it at the top of his class in no time,” said Carpio.