Stockinger to carry RP banner anew at World Kart Final

After dominating the F125 Senior Rotax Class in the 2005 Shell Super Karting Series with five wins in six races over a tough field of 27 karters, which included 2004 Karter of the Year Matteo Guidicelli, 2004 Formula Toyota Champion Ivan Carapiet, Mark Bumgarner, Marcel Thenu and Allan Uy, Marlon Stockinger, driving for Swiss Finance & Investment Corp. (SFIC), Birel Motorsport, Kart Care, Kartmore Racing Services, Bridgestone, Salon Prive, Lima City Hotel, Le Souffle Restaurants and Malaysia Airlines, now has his sights set on representing the Philippines in the Rotax Max World Finals on November 26 in Langkawi, Malaysia. Stockinger, who at 14 years of age is the youngest driver to ever win the Senior Rotax Series as well as the youngest and first Filipino junior karter to qualify for a World Kart Final, will be making his second appearance in the event. In January 2005 in Spain, he finished a respectable 12th out of 36 drivers from all over the world.

"I will be up against some of the world's best junior karters", says Stockinger. "Many of them participate on a regular basis in top European racing events in all kinds of engine classes," he added.

Last year's winner was France's Benjamin Salvatore, with England's Adam Christodoulo coming in second. Stockinger finished a respectable 12th, beating many more experienced karters from more than 70 countries including 16-year-old Armaan Ebrahim, who now drives in the popular A1 Grand Prix series for India.

Stockinger scored first and second places last October 2 during the last leg of the Rotax Asia Challenge held in Langkawi, which served as a tune up race for the coming World Finals.

"I think I know the track in Langkawi quite well by now, which could help a lot in order to be ahead of the competition and I hope to do better this time, after having gained more experience in many local and international races," commented Stockinger.

The Filipino will be joined in his quest for victory by coach Othmar Stutz, who has vowed to shave his well-kept moustache if Stockinger makes it to the podium, and fellow team member Marcel Thenu, who will represent the Philippines in the Senior Rotax class. Serving as mechanic for Marlon will be Kurt Allemann, father of Swiss driver Ken Allemann, last year's Euro Max Challenge vice champion.

Stockinger's world championship campaign can be followed at www.maxchallenge-rotax.com.