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Sunday, January 08, 2006
Kaine: new toast of Cebu Karting
He came out of nowhere and quickly became the toast of Cebu karting, winning a slew of karting championships, including the prestigious Shell Super Kart Series Rookie of the Year award. And he took up the sport only five months ago.
Meet the next big thing in the sport of karting: 16-year-old Kaine Gandiongco, the jewel of Julie’s Bakeshop Racing team.
Since taking up the sport on June 2005, Gandiongco has waged a juggernaut-like run on the racetracks. Consider the list of championship titles he has won in a span of five months: After popping champagne bottles in the first three legs of the Shell Super Kart Series KT 100 Novice division, he posted a runner-up finish in the fourth leg, then went on to make another championship run in the 2005 Paby Garcia Cup Go Kart Race, and ended the year by snagging the Rookie of the Year plum.
Sweetest
“Winning the Rookie of the Year (award) was probably the sweetest victory I’ve had this year” said Gandiongco, a junior at the Cebu Institute of Education (CIE). “I’m hoping that I can continue the pace this year on the national level, but it’s going to be really tough,” saidGandiongco, who is going to compete in the national karting circuit this February — when the first leg of the Shell Super Kart Series National competitions get underway — this time, as a member of the Cebu Racing Group (CRG). His next goal? To win the race for the National Rookie of the Year, where he, along with Manila’s Amnon Tamir, are considered the early favorites for the crown.
“I’m keeping my finger crossed for this one,” said Gandiongco “But at the same time, I’m also going to do my best to get it.” Reggie Hisoler, a veteran karter and one of the stalwarts of the nationally-dreaded CRG squad, thinks that Gandiongco has what it takes to pull it off.
“If he sustains his fast learning curve, there’s no reason why he can’t win the Rookie of the Year and become a major player in the national level,” said Hisoler, who also acted as Gandiongco’s drill sergeant during his training. “And I have a good feeling that he will, because he is such a fast learner.”
Enigma
Not only is Gandiongco a fast learner, he also a bit of an enigma.
“It seems he has two personalities. He’s a very quiet person, but once he gets behind the wheel, he instantly turns into an aggressive, competitive individual” said Kaine’s biggest fan, his mom, Ofelia Gandionco. “Even during practice sessions with his younger brothers, (Patrick, 12 , and Marqui, 14) Kaine just can’t stand it if he doesn’t get the best time. He’ll always ask for another round, and if he still doesn’t beat his brother’s time, chances are, he’ll ask for another one until he comes out on top”. (GCM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 8, 2006 issue)
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