Ryle Almazora finished 1st in EVERY SINGLE SESSION in Cadet Novice when the T4 Series Pilipinas staged a double-header at the Carmona Race Track (CRT). Not only that, the 8-year-old also gave the Expert Class karters a run for their money as he consistently finished 2nd on the road throughout the weekend.
Driving for Mercedes Young Driver Development Philippines (YDDP), Ryle took up karting when was only 6 under the Bambino Class. He then further honed his talent at Drift Motorsport Speedway where secured the titles Rookie of the Year and Amsoil Cup Champion in ’23. This is now his second full season in karting where he regularly goes up against big combined grids of around 16 karts in T4 Cadets
He began Round 3 on Saturday by setting the 2nd fastest overall time in Qualifying. His 1:07.295 lap was fastest amongst the Novice karters and only 0.302 secs off pole-sitter and Expert Class karter Franco Patawaran. However, he got bottled up at the start of Heat 1 and dropped back to P5. It took him several laps to get back to his starting position to eventually cross the finish line 1st in Novice and 2nd Overall. Learning from his previous mistake, Ryle made sure he protected his line on the run to the first corner of Heat 2 and held onto P2. Although he came under immense attack, he soaked up the pressure for all 6 laps and successfully kept his competitors at bay. He again finished 1st in Novice and 2nd Overall with a train of karts behind him.
Ryle was now much faster in the Saturday Finals and immediately went for the overall lead. He held onto P1 for a number of laps before being passed by Patawaran. Still, he kept chase until the chequered flag dropped to finish 0.398 secs behind the Expert Class karter and secure the Novice Class win in the process.
Round 4 on Sunday saw a repeat performance from Ryle. He was again 2nd fastest in Qualifying, this time splitting a pair Expert Class karters. The Mercedes YDDP karter put his front row start to good use in Heat 1 and took P1 on the first turn. The next spent the next 9 laps battling with Patawaran with the pair again crossing the finish line with Ryle taking 1st in Novice and 2nd Overall. He was squeezed in Heat 2 and dropped down to P4, but later found his way back to P2 where he started. Although they were not racing for points, Ryle wanted track position and kept several Expert Class karters behind him all the way to the finish with another 1st place in Novice.
Saving his best performance for last, Ryle went for the race lead in the Finals and held position for a number of laps. It was again a 2-way battle between him and Patawaran ’til the flag dropped with the pair crossing the line way ahead of everyone else and Ryle securing another 1st in Novice Class.
Ryle Almazora: “I’m happy that I’m consistent and I like my results. Thank you to my coach Jerald and mechanics kuya Christian, kuya Albert and kuya Mario for helping me become so quick. Hopefully I can become Rookie Karter of the Year.”
Ryle Almazora is sponsored by by Axel Motorsports, A2Z Customs, Bch Performance, Cafe Amelia, DG Budget Hotel, Eway’s Grill, Four30 Gastropub, KDS Cosmetics, GTB Motorsports, and Pregame Merchandise, with the support of the City of Biñan, Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, and Congresswoman Len Alonte.
For updates and more info, follow the Ryle Jaaziah Almazora Racing page on Facebook.
[Photos by Bong Boado]