If karting is the stepping stone into professional motorsports, then the Petron Motorsports Karting Academy should be regarded as the stepping stone into professional karting… in the Philippines at least. And this is demonstrated no better than by Will Lucas, who won the Petron Intermediate Clubrace championship on his rookie year.
Except for a few outings in fun karts, Will only got his first real taste of karting when he joined the Petron Motorsport Karting Academy several months ago. Suffice to say, the grassroots program was enough to convince him (and his parents) to sign up for a full season in the Petron Clubrace this 2022 with his tita, touring car and endurance driver Kathy Villar, providing much-needed inspiration. He entered the Intermediate Class with Edgesport x Ethanworx Racing Team under the tutelage of renowned coach Edgen Dy-Liacco, in a 9-round championship that would run from April to October.
Things, however, got off to a slow start during the season opener at the Carmona Race Track (CRT) where he finished 10th out of 11 drivers after making contact with another karter. Truth be told, this put a slight dent on the 18-year-old’s confidence. But with a lot of practice, proper coaching, and a strong team behind him, Will steadily improved over the next few events.
His very first race win would then come at the Clark International Speedway Kart Track (CISKT) only 2 months after making his karting debut. He finished with over a second lead from his nearest rival, sending a clear message that Will is going to be a serious title contender in 2022.
After a couple of hard-fought rounds, he later delivered 4 victories in succession to secure the Intermediate Class title. His first back-to-back wins came during the Rok GP Cup Philippines double-header in September. Will asserted his dominance by taking 1st in Time Trials, Qualifying, and Finals on Saturday, which he then repeated on Sunday to complete his clean sweep of the race weekend.
Except for a 3rd place in Qualifying due to an error, the final 2 rounds of the season was practically a repeat performance. Will was untouchable over the double-header weekend and secured the Petron Intermediate Class championship with a 54 point lead in the standings.
Will Lucas: “I officially started karting only 7 months ago when I graduated top of my class in the Petron Karting Academy. But with the help of coach Edgen and lots of practice, he made me the champion that I am today. My plan next year is to step up to the Senior Category of Rok GP and Rotax Max, and hopefully be able to race internationally someday. But my ultimate goal in motorsports is to compete in any open-wheel racing series.”
[Photos courtesy of Rok GP Cup Philippines and Rotax Max Challenge Philippine Series]
