Organized by Amprex Racing Services, distributor and promoter of Rotax kart engines in Malaysia, is culminating the 2022 season with a bang. They’re hosting the Rotax MAX Challenge Asia Festival (RMCAF) this December 9/11 at the MORAC Adventure Park in Langkawi where the best karters around the region come to compete. And the Philippines will be out to prove itself with 11 entries from our local pool of talent.
The country’s biggest contingent can be found in the Senior MAX Category. Newly-crowned Rotax MAX Challenge Philippines and Rok GP Super Karting Series champion Miguel Quiñones leads the way with his sister Shaniah Quiñones. Both have raced on this circuit on past occasions and are expected to do well this weekend. Joining them are fellow Senior karters Gabriel Carag and Gabriel Chan. Meanwhile, the reigning Rotax MAX Challenge Philippines Junior champion Bern Corpino is stepping up a class along with his closest competitor Josh Marquez. Then there’s Miguel Abaño who will be taking a leap of faith as he jumps from being a Petron Intermediate Clubrace karter straight into Seniors in an international event no less. Together, all 7 will be up against a strong 51-kart entry list in Langkawi.
The pairing of Ethan Ong and Ryan Sy will be taking their chances in Junior MAX. Sporting matching race suits, the teammates are running under Stratos Motorsports in hopes of taking a class podium.
Axel Nocom is the country’s lone entry in Mini MAX, but we expect great things to come from this young 10-year-old. A product of the Mercedes Young Driver Development Philippines, Axel is a multiple-time MiniRok champion back home. Last but not the least, Theo Zaragoza will slug it out against other gentleman drivers in the DD2 Max Masters class.
Except for a few, this will be the first time for these karters to race on the 1.243 km long MORAC Adventure Park in Langkawi. Adding to the challenge is the fact that most of them have never raced in an international event before with such a big entry list of such high caliber. Still, we have high hopes that our local pool of talent will have what it takes to bring home a few race wins and podiums this weekend.
[Photos by Bong Boado]
