Coseteng hits top gear in GT return

MULTITITLED Jody Coseteng proved he hasn’t lost his touch despite a two-year hiatus by cruising to victory in the kickoff leg of the 2012 Yokohama Philippine GT Championship Series recently at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario town.

It was a big comeback for Coseteng, who went through a tough encounter with defending champion and Golden Wheel Driver of the Year Vincent Floirendo before capturing the GT300 crown of the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines.

Everybody had thought Floirendo would sweep the kickoff leg after ruling the Sprint race over four-time karting champ Stefano Marcelo of Marcelo Racing, third placer VM Kaikkonen of Hafele-Tuason Racing and Coseteng, who ended up sixth overall.

Coseteng zoomed ahead of Floirendo with two of the 15 laps to go to claim the checkered flag in 27 minutes and 14.565 seconds, or 30.909 seconds ahead of Floirendo.

Marcelo made an impressive debut in circuit racing as he posted the fastest lap of 1:47.409 in finishing fifth overall and claiming third place in the GT300 class.

Arnel Carlos finished third overall in the final race and clinched the GT200 title over Willie Torres.

Tuason Racing’s Mickey Kim ruled the GT100 division.

In the Philminiracers Classic Mini Racing 2012, Arvir Gervacio copped the Class A crown over Rodney Caballero and Bernard Sy while Jun Mallari topped Class B over Rudy Bunyag and Sebastian Jose Donato.

Carlos Castaneda ruled the Class A category in the VW Kafer Cup over Jon Porto and Phillip Lazatin. Benjo Bautista topped Class B over Geraldino de Jesus and Armand Hipolito.

The next leg is set May 12-13 at the Clark International Speedway. For inquiries, call Nelson Gayola or Rodini Rivera at 729-72 41-42 or 729-5365.