Carrying the Philippine flag in one of karting’s most demanding championships, Axel Nocom has emerged as the highest‑placed junior driver representing Asia in the IAME Series, widely regarded as the toughest non–direct drive kart racing platform in the world.
Nocom sealed second overall at the IAME Asia Final, a championship known for attracting the region’s strongest grid, reinforced by international drivers whose sole objective is to claim the lone ticket to the 2026 IAME World Finals reserved exclusively for category champions. With only one qualifying spot on the line, the event drew elite competitors from multiple continents, raising the level of intensity throughout the weekend.
The Filipino racer opened the competition in commanding fashion, claiming pole position and winning early heat races to establish himself as a title contender. Momentum shifted during Heat 3 and the Super Heat, where race incidents dropped him down the order and forced him to start the final from seventh on the grid.
From the opening laps of the deciding race, Nocom mounted a rapid charge. He surged into third place by the second corner, staying locked in a tight battle among the leading pack as the top five drivers repeatedly exchanged positions. In the closing stages, he briefly took control of the race before contact with another driver damaged his steering column. With the incident occurring on the final lap, Nocom managed to keep the kart running and crossed the line in second place, preserving a podium finish under extreme pressure.
The final standings saw Andrea Galimberti of Italy take victory, followed by Axel Nocom of the Philippines in second. Jay Kostecki of Australia placed third, with Jamie Ambrose of the United Kingdom and Tony Cachafeiro of Angola completing the top five.
The result further strengthens Nocom’s status within the IAME Series, a global championship structure operated by IAME Motorsport, the racing arm of Italian engine manufacturer IAME. The series runs standardized engines such as the X30 across its international, regional, and national events, placing a premium on driver skill rather than equipment advantage. Spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, the IAME platform is regarded as a critical development route for drivers aiming to progress toward elite motorsport levels.
With his performance at the Asia Final, Nocom now stands as the most successful junior competitor carrying an Asian—and Filipino—flag in the series, competing at the sharp end of a championship that continues to define global karting excellence.
