Recently in Racing Category

By Izah Morales INQUIRER.net Getting derailed thrice, crashing into tires and finishing five laps in 2 minutes and 4 seconds at the Sepang International Karting Circuit taught me how karting can be dangerous yet can still be an exhilarating ride. As one of the media delegates for the Norton Asean Speed Challenge, I had the chance to drive the 1,247-meter-long circuit. The challenge for the media delegates was to finish five laps with the best time. With my excitement, I forgot to do warm-up exercises before riding the kart. As the green flag was waved, I stepped on the gas pedal, accelerated and made my way through the turns. It was a race and so I drove as fast as I could with my right foot on the gas pedal. But then, I didn't maneuver the steering wheel well on the curve, driving my way out of the track. It was a bit shameful to be pulled out thrice. But then again, learning is not an overnight process. Yet on my last lap, I was able to smoothly drive through the curves and finished the fifth lap victoriously. Though I didn't have the best time, I felt like I was still a winner, for karting taught me lessons beyond the four corners of a classroom. 1) EXERCISE. Before karting or doing any strenuous activity, never forget to do a warm-up exercise to prepare your muscles or else you'll find yourself cramping in pain the day after karting. 2) SAFETY first. Never sacrifice your safety for the sake of winning a competition. Always drive carefully and responsibly. 3) ENJOY. Racing without enjoyment is like eating cake without the icing.

The Go-Kart circuit, one of the five circuits at the Sepang International Circuit, is 10minutes away from the Sepang F1 circuit, where Eddie Irvine, Michael Schumacher and Mikka Hakkinen raced during its inauguration in 1999 finishing first, second, and third place, respectively. Since its inauguration, Sepang International Circuit has been host to world championships in motorsports. Come November 21^st-23^rd, the Sepang International Circuit will host the A1 Grand Prix, a single make open-wheel auto racing series where teams represent a nation.

By Alex Villafania INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines -- Paranaque-based kart track City Kart recently announced that it will have its second Manila 701 endurance race from July 19 to 20. This was according to its Managing Director Jean-Marc Freihuber who announced this year's race will be tougher as they would be simulating every road condition imaginable. Manila 701 started out as a small event at City Kart late last year and was limited to karting enthusiasts. It required teams to race around the track that was strewn with obstacles that simulated road conditions. The first one to finish 701 laps was declared the winner. Freihuber said that this time, they will open the race to the first 14 teams that will have four to nine players. New simulated road conditions would include blackouts, landslides, traffic jams, ice pelts, and "mini-volcanic eruptions." Freihuber said they will be bringing equipment that could simulate these conditions. The rules from the Manila 701 will still apply. The first team to finish 701 laps will be declared the winner. However, teams must formulate their own strategy to ensure that they would be able to finish the endurance race. "There are no time limits but without proper strategy the players will get tired immediately. This kind of competition is grueling and in my estimate, it could run between 12 to 16 hours," said Freihuber. To add some spice to the race, live entertainment will be offered while the competition is running, he said. "It's going to be a party until someone reaches the finish line."

By Relly Carpio INQUIRER.net FORD introduced its Ford Focus TDCi, the first diesel-fed vehicle to "hit the track" in the Philippines. It was developed together with Tuason Racing School (TRS). JP Tuason, owner of TRS, said he was "delightfully surprised to have done very little modification on the Focus, showcasing its real 'street to track' capability." TRS matched the engine with an enhanced suspension, fiberglass body parts, K&N filters, racing brake pads, six-point rollcage, racing seats, racing seatbelts and a fire extinguisher. But the engine was kept stock, a powerful engine at 136 HP with its 2nd-generation common rail injection technology. Here's a video I took of Ford Group Philippines president Richard Baker unveiling the Ford Focus TDCi on Day 1 of the Manila International Auto Show. "The Ford Focus has always enjoyed a strong motor sports heritage and has achieved outstanding results in worldwide auto sports competition. Building on this successful racing tradition and the growing interest in motor racing, we will demonstrate the Ford Focus TDCi's superior technical capability and dynamic nature in the country," Baker said. "This latest innovation from Ford affirms the Focus TDCi's advanced 'street to track' technology, with its winning combination of acceleration, handling and braking capability. The speed and passion embodied in racing fulfills our thrust to making cars that replace the drudgery of the everyday commute, with the intense thrill of driving," he added. Ford is quick to add that the new Focus TDCi is not a fuel-guzzler. According to them, it has "best-in-class fuel economy benefits, as proven with the recent fuel economy and endurance run conducted by TRS in various parts of the country." This endurance run was done under the watchful eyes of representatives from the Automobile Association Philippines and the Department of Transportation and Communications. The run covered "different terrain, road and weather conditions. The provincial runs ended at the North Luzon Expressway while the entire drive campaign culminated in Metro Manila." The Ford Focus TDCi went head to head against another subcompact sedan for almost three weeks. No repairs were done on the cars, which were carrying two passengers and two pieces of luggage. The numbers from the test put the Ford Focus TDCi at "29.61 kilometers per liter or KPL, for the best all highway run, 16.69 KPL for the best all city run, average of 20.17 KPL per 10,000 KM mark: Total kilometers over total liters of 19.50 KPL."

DEFENDING champions Ferrari and bitter rival McLaren have unveiled the new cars that they hope will propel them to victory in the 2008 Formula One season. Here's the Reuters video report.