All’s well that ends well. (From left) Ivan Carapiet, fifth place; Oliver Aquino, third place; Marlon Stockinger, Round Seven winner; second placer and 2007 Philippine Rotax Max champion Alessandra Madrigal; and Matteo Guidicelli, fourth place.

KARTING prodigy Alessandra Madrigal played it cool throughout the final round of the 2007 Rotax Max Challenge Philippines held last weekend at the Carmona Circuit Philippines in Cavite to rack up enough points to become the 2007 Philippine Rotax Max Champion.

The 11-year-old Madrigal, who is coached by former world karting champion Terry Fullerton of the UK and supported by Petron Treats, Chicago City Day School, Skinfood, Oakley and Savage Designs, submitted the fastest lap during the qualifying time trial and finished first and second in the two qualifying heats to take pole position in the prefinal.  Meanwhile, her chief rival, world karting championship veteran Marlon Stockinger, was fourth fastest in the time trial and finished second and first in the qualifying heats to secure a spot alongside Madrigal.

In the 15-lap prefinal, Madrigal led until three laps from the end, when Stockinger, who shadowed her from the start, slipstreamed ahead at the end of the main straight and kept the lead until the checkered flag.

In the 20-lap final race, Stockinger put his pole position to good use and immediately surged to a three-kart lead at the start. Madrigal, meanwhile, gave chase and managed to close in on Stockinger a few laps later.  Relying on his vast experience, Stockinger responded with a series of quick laps to put some distance between himself and the charging Madrigal, who then wisely maintained her position until the finish. 

Alessandra Racing’s Oliver Aquino crossed the line in third place followed by teammate and two-time Karter of the Year Matteo Guidicelli and Ivan Carapiet.

With the result, Madrigal topped the final points standings of the seven-round series with 522 points to clinch the 2007 Philippine Rotax Max title by four points, edging out Stockinger with 518 points.  Aquino closed out the series with 482 points to finish in third place.

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KARTING prodigy Alessandra Madrigal played it cool throughout the final round of the 2007 Rotax Max Challenge Philippines held last weekend at the Carmona Circuit Philippines in Cavite to rack up enough points to become the 2007 Philippine Rotax Max Champion.