Jean Stefano Marcelo of San Miguel Corp.-Marcelo Racing achieved his own niche in the annals of Philippine motorsports with his title-clinching feat in the 2007 Shell Helix Karting Super Series that ended recently at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

Marcelo emerged the youngest karter to capture the prestigious Karter of the Year plum at 15. The country’s most competitive karting event has been ongoing for the past 16 years.

Living up to the family championship tradition, Marcelo wound up his title campaign in the premier Formula 125 Open Seniors class with 609.5 points—following the footsteps of his champion grandfather Eddie Marcelo, his jetski champion father John Marcelo and his late uncle, Indianapolis champion Jovy Marcelo.

“It’s a dream come true.  I’m very happy to have survived all the big challenges and controversies, and achieve this milestone with God’s blessings and the big support of San Miguel Corp. and the whole Marcelo Racing Team,” said Marcelo.

“The racing bloodline has been passed.  We’re proud Stefano has carried on the family’s championship tradition and we hope to see him reach greater heights in the years to come,” remarked father John Marcelo.

It was a season bannered by big strides for the young Marcelo despite the challenges and controversies that tested his fighting spirit and determination to win, and added colors to his championship trail both in the local and international scene.

Marcelo bagged the overall crown of the Southern Philippines ROK Series Championship, better known as the Cebu ROK Open at the Kart Zone in Mabolo, Cebu City.

He has shown his big heart as he ruled the three legs of the Asian Karting Open Championship (AKOC) in Carmona, Indonesia and in Bangkok early this month.

The young Marcelo further proved his talent by making remarkable impressions that made the country proud in the international scene.

Marcelo emerged the first Filipino and Asian karter to achieve a third-place finish in the 2007 Belgium Karting Championship at the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, and also made it among the top 10 in the 2007 ROK World Cup in Italy last month.

Although his second-place finish in the championship leg was enough to claim the Karter of the Year award, Marcelo still wrapped up the series with an incredible feat of posting the fastest lap time of 43.682 seconds despite using only a ROK engine against his rivals’ more powerful setups.

But his mission isn’t over.  Stefano needs the crucial victory in the final leg of AKOC in Macau on December 15 to accomplish his third and biggest championship this season—the Asian Karting diadem.

After his victory in Bangkok coming from the back of the 20-man field, Marcelo has a solid grip of the solo leadership with 95 points, a 24-point advantage over second-running Hong Kong bet Luca Ferrigutti who had 71 points.

“Our task is not yet over and we’ll be preparing hard to complete the last of our three goals for this season.  Some top Japanese and European karters will be coming for the Macau leg, that’s why we’re expecting a tough journey toward achieving the Asian Karting crown,” said Marcelo.

Boxing Wakes Up

THE conversation about boxing when the year began centered mostly on the sport’s demise.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) was stealing young fight fans by the thousands, major promoters weren’t negotiating with each other, big-time bouts were too few and far between, and rising stars were obscured on undercards.

Chico’s time

PLAYING four tough games in a span of 12 days apparently wore down Kerby Raymundo and James Yap and it showed in their game during a forgettable first half.

THE country’s youth basketball program has gotten a generous sponsor in TAO Corp., which is shelling out P76.5 million to finance the search and training of members of future national teams.

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has released a P50-million aid to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the country’s campaign in the 24th Southeast Asian Games.

Inspiration from home

FILIPINO world flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is glad his local fans will get to watch his next fight on local TV.

The 24-year-old Donaire left for the United States Saturday evening after completing more than a month of training in Cebu.

Karter Of The Year Jean Stefano maintains the Marcelo tradition

Jean Stefano Marcelo of San Miguel Corp.-Marcelo Racing achieved his own niche in the annals of Philippine motorsports with his title-clinching feat in the 2007 Shell Helix Karting Super Series that ended recently at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

Bleachers’ Brew: Wounded Tiger, Hidden Dragon

THIS is a basketball story. At times it reads like an inspirational story. Sometimes it reads like a story out of the Old Testament including wrath-of-God types of plagues that would have felled a man and a team of less fortitude. But it’s a story of scruples, principles and a steel-determination to rise above the challenges of life and basketball.