FRESH FROM their successful Asian Zone Karting stint in Indonesia, top contenders gear up for another important battle with the staging of the 2005 WG&A-Shell Helix Superkarting Series at the Kart Zone in Cebu on Sept. 3-4.
Karter of the Year Matteo Guidicelli of Cebu Racing Group is the sentimental favorite to rule the event although he expects another exciting showdown with Asian Karting Queen Michele Bumgarner and Marlon Stockinger in this event sponsored by the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Honda Phils. Inc., Denso Iridium Power, Bridgestone by Phil. Allied Ent. Corp., DMCI Homes, Eastway Motorcycle Racing, Aeromed, Aviva Insurance, 2GO and WG&A Super Ferry.
Bumgarner and Guidicelli are the hottest contenders for this year’s coveted Karter of the Year awards as they are just 10 points apart in the race for the premiere ICA Open crown. Bumgarner has tallied 260 points against Guidicelli’s 250.
Indy Villalon of Birel is third (177 pts.) with Stockinger fourth (118 pts.) and Mark Bumgarner fifth (96 pts).
Guidicelli also eyes a second title in the Rotax Max Seniors class where he will go up against Stockinger.
Guidicelli leads the cast with 279 points but Stockinger is just six points behind with 273.
Joining them in the 16-man field are CRG driver Ivan Carapiet (179) Marcel Thenu (154), Maico Angeles (118) Bosch-Intelco driver Marty Aguilar (115), Mark Bumgarner (104), Allan Uy, Manny Sy and Bosch-Intelco drivers Daniel Cleak, Archie Rubio and skipper JP Carino.
Winners of this leg will have the momentum for the championship leg of this event in October at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.
Also expected to shine are Jean Marcelo of Marcelo Racing in the Rotax Max Novice, Marcel Thenu in the Rotax Max Masters, Paolo Eslao in the KT Light Class, Javi Benitez in the Cadet 60 Expert and Vencer Suba in the Cadet 60 Novice.
