Cebu’s karting pride William John Riley Go (leftmost) poses with the final six and FDA officials during the FDA Asia Pacific & Oceania Selection Program in Sepang, Malaysia. | Photos from Go’s Facebook page
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebuano karter William John Riley Go, continues to make inroads in the international karting scene after reaching the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Scouting World Finals.
This is after Go emerged as one of the last two remaining participants of the FDA Asia Pacific & Oceania Selection Program in Sepang, Malaysia, earlier this month.
The final two participants of this prestigious international program were officially revealed on October 9, 2023, which include the 15-year-old Cebuano karter and Taiwan’s Enzo Yeh.
They are the two last standing participants from the original 24 karting prodigies who were selected last August during the start of the program.
Go is the first Cebuano karter or Filipino to achieve such a feat, adding another milestone to his budding international karting career.
FLYING TO ITALY
Go and Yeh will fly to Italy for the World Scouting Finals at the FDA headquarters in Fiorano as the official representatives of the Asia Pacific and Oceania region.
They will join the rest of the final two selected drivers from other continents.
Before being selected as the final two, Go and Yeh needed to endure challenging tasks and races under the watchful eye of FDA representatives Alessandro Vantini and Jock Clear in Sepang, Malaysia.
“William and Enzo were just a cut above the rest and so they are the ones we have selected. I look forward to seeing them both tackling the FDA Scouting World Finals in Fiorano,” said Clear in an article published on the Motorsport Australia website.
Go said he felt honored to reach this far in what was a highly competitive and challenging program held for two months.
READ: Go, Cebuano karter, makes it to final stage of Ferrari Driver Academy selection program
“It is my honor to reveal that I have secured a spot as one of the top 2 in the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Shootout for Asia Pacific and Oceania. The shootout was held last September 24 to 27 in Sepang, Malaysia. The race was no easy feat, competing with talented racers and dealing with various weather conditions,” the multi-titled Cebuano karter said in his Facebook post.
“Being able to represent my country, the Philippines on this international stage is both an honor and responsibility. I can’t wait to carry the flag with pride in Fiorano Circuit, Modenese, Italy for the next stage, the FDA World Finals.”
FOR GRANDMA
Besides carrying the country’s flag, the Cebuano karter also dedicated his latest achievement to his family and to his late great-grandmother.
“As I gear up for the challenge ahead, I carry the hopes of my nation, the unwavering love and support from my family, and the faith in a higher purpose. I specifically carry the guidance of my late great grandmother, Taima Juanita who has departed before us shortly after the FDA Shootout in Malaysia,” said the proud Cebuano karter.
Last year, the Cebuano karter also stamped class in the international karting scene after ruling the ROK Superfinal 2022 in Lonato, Italy, making him the first Filipino karter to win such a prestigious race. /rcg
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