DINO JACINTO warded off Jean Stefano Marcelo in the championship round to claim the Rotax Max Novice crown recently in the 2005 Shell Superkarting Series at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.
Jacinto started at the back but inched his way up to rule the 20-lap final race, clocking 18:37.085 in the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines and 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 and Aviva Insurance.
Jacinto and Marcelo were tied for the lead with similar 252 points prior to the championship round and with his victory, Jacinto wrapped up his campaign in the Rotax Max Novice division with 442 points, 49 points ahead of Marcelo.
John Marcelo, Stefano’s father, led the first eighth laps but Jacinto rallied back on top and made a quick pass on the ninth lap. Marcelo spun out while looking back where his son was, as Jacinto pulled away to victory.
Raymond Bustamante checked in second while Jean Stefano Marcelo ended third. Mike Casimiro and John Marcelo wound up fourth and fifth, respectively.
Marlon Stockinger of Birel also upstaged Matteo Guidicelli as he ruled the last two races and romped off with the Rotax Max Seniors crown, winding up his title quest with 442 points or 49 points ahead of Guidicelli.
Sharing the limelight was Marcel Thenu who went home with the Rotax Max Masters crown.
Guidicelli, who led the title race prior to the championship round, was already bogged by engine problems in Race 2 where he only landed 12th in the 13-man field.
Allan Uy of Alessandra Racing Inc. took over as Stockinger’s toughest rival in the final race where he controlled the tempo in the first seven laps.
But Stockinger’s persistence in the early goings paid its reward as he wrested the pole on the eighth lap and hang on to his post from thereon. He finished the 20-lap race in 18:00.456 or 1.831 seconds ahead of Uy.
