Speedtech Asia aim to bounce back in Beijing

(June 23, '04) Speedtech Asia, an expansion team in this year’s Asian Formula Three Series, hopes to put its disappointing season back on track in the next leg of the series, which is scheduled on August 15 at the Goldenport Circuit in Beijing, China.

Despite failing to start in Rounds 3 and 4 of the series at the Subic International Raceway due to mechanical failure, Speedtech Asia’s Jojo Silverio marked a strong performance with a sizzling lap of 1:11.013 in qualifying that put him third on the grid in Round 3.

“Qualifying third was a great moment”, Silverio explained, “I knew the circuit well and I felt comfortable with the car.” During warm-up on race day, Silverio submitted a 1:10.45 – the only sub-1:11 lap of the morning, which was faster than the qualifying time of 1:10.501 set by polesitter John O’Hara.

What many expected to be a promising weekend for Silverio, who placed fourth in Rounds 1 and 2 at the Batangas Racing Circuit, turned into disaster, . At the start of Round 3, Silverio lost first gear right before the green light and had to be pushed off the track. In round 4, a broken driveshaft retired him on the starting grid.

Roland Hermoso had his share of misfortunes, too. The former Philippine Formula Toyota champion finished third in the Promotion Class despite reverting to an older and slower spare engine after the ECU on his 03 spec TOM’S engine broke. In Round 4, he lost second gear and retired. “With the problems sorted out, I am hoping for a better showing in Beijing,” a disappointed Hermoso quipped.