16-year-old karting ace Marlon Stockinger made history in Philippine motorsports last weekend in Al Ain, Dubai, by finishing eighth in the senior category of the World Rotax Max Karting Championship in Al Ain, Dubai. Stockinger is the first Filipino karter to achieve a top ten ranking at the world level and was the best Asian driver in this year's championship, wherein 216 of the best drivers from 55 countries and all five continents gathered to crown the best amongst them. Conditions during the whole weekend were quite tricky since strong winds blowing from the desert brought a lot of sand onto the track making it quite slippery. "Unfortunately we had some problems with our engine during qualifying," said Stockinger. "I was as fast as the frontrunners in the final and if I had started from a better position on the grid I could have battled for a podium finish. Nevertheless, I am very happy with the result and I am looking forward to some challenging competition next year in karting and maybe formula cars. Stockinger added, I would like to thank my coaches Terry Fullerton and Othmar Stutz for supporting me the whole weekend as well as my 'crack' mechanic Alan Mackay. They all did a great job, although Othmar fell short of preparing my favorite tomato soup, which he always serves me every time I win."
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