7-year-old Matthew Garvilles savored his first-ever podium finish at a regional event in karting. Competing at the Macau Asia Karting Festival x Asian Karting Open Championship, he was rightfully classified 2nd overall in the Cadet Class (and 1st amongst the Novice drivers) after some confusion was cleared on the correct finishing order.
Matthew first got into karting when he was only 5-years-old racing in Bambino. He was then picked up by the Mercedes Young Driver Development Philippines in late ’22 when he moved up to Cadets, making his debut at the Carmona Race Track (CRT) back in October. The youngster then enjoyed a class win during the 2023 season opener and also entered the event at the Palawan International Circuit (PIC) in April where he should have been 2nd if not for a penalty. But despite his relatively short and limited race experience, he put on a brave face to race at Macau.
They would arrive at the Coloane Karting Track just in time for Official practice on Friday where he drove his first laps around the 1.200 km circuit. Although there were some teething issues learning the unfamiliar layout and difference in surface, Matthew was pumped up for the race weekend.
Driving the #602 kart, Matthew was 9th out of 12 runners during the Time Trial. He then managed to move up a spot during Heat 1 to finish in 8th as he continued to improve at every session. Gaining more confidence, he pushed harder in Heat 2 and was rewarded with 7th place while setting the race’s fastest lap, which surprised a few.
The weather turned for the worse come the all-important Finals and was run in the wet. This made things a lot more challenging for the Cadet karters, but would also open up opportunities for Matthew as he later found out.
Combined results from Qualifying put him in P8 at the start. Matthew was able to get a clean getaway and avoided the opening lap chaos. Several front running drivers were caught out in the slippery conditions and went off course, allowing Matthew to shoot up the standings. He then gave chase to Cadet Expert and fellow Filipino karter Lucas Aldave who was in the lead. Matthew closed the gap to 1.569 secs by the time the chequered flag dropped and once again the fastest lap of the race.
However, a glitch in the timing system and some confusion amongst the race officials incorrectly recognized Matthew in the provisional results even if he crossed the finish line right behind Lucas on the same lap. It took some time for the stewards to reconcile the correct finishing order, requiring a careful lap-by-lap review.
Owning up to the error, the race organizers revised the official results of the Cadet Class Finals. The young talent was awarded 2nd Overall and proudly stood on the top spot of the podium in Macau for his 1st place finish in Cadet Novice.
Matthew Garvilles is sponsored by Tees and Prints, The Brewed Statement, TeePee, Atexco, Rochas, Mercedes Young Driver Development Philippines, Motul Infiniteserv Int’l, Alpinestars, and Alaska.
[Photos by Bong Boado]
