Corry tops Expert Class as MRA season starts

Corry Pangelinan claimed his first Expert Class checkered flag by topping last Sunday’s race in the 2024 “MOTO IV” Points Race Series at the Cowtown Race Park.

The 19-year-old former Intermediate Class champion topped the second heat after going second in the first.

He went on to beat defending series champion Shane Alvarez in the premiere division of the season opening February race of the Marianas Racing Association. Both riders finished with 47 points, while MRA president Ellery Cruz finished third with 40 points.

“It feels great. The win was basically handed down to me. I crashed on the second heat and luckily no injuries so I was able to get back on the bike and finish the race. I was pushing myself to catch up then everything went haywire after a few laps. Everyone’s bike just had to have an issue on race day that I have been waiting for since the end of last season,” said Pangelinan.

The issues he alluded to were Alvarez running out of gas and Cruz, who incidentally is Pangelinan’s coach, having to deal with bike issues.

“It would have been awesome if everything went smoothly so we can finish the race together and in that way, I can have a vision on how I performed so it can help me improve for the races to come. I’m anxious because I am now riding with the fast guys not to mention my coach Ellery Cruz as well,” added Pangelinan, who said the track was soaking wet that made it very difficult to navigate the course.

He went on to dedicate the win to everyone who supported him throughout his motocross journey.

“I’d like to especially thank Matthew Guerrero and his family for lending me his bike to use during this race as my bike was down. It truly means a lot! And I’d also like to thank my team Ericco Racing, my coach Ellery Cruz, my family and friends, Edmund Villagomez and our sponsors Inas kitchen, Marianas Native, YCO True Value, Michelob Ultra, Pokka, Stress Free, and TurnKey Solutions.”

In the Novice Class, Christian Camacho edged Matthew Guerrero after also winning the second heat with both riders accumulating 47 points. Ponce Rasa finished third with 38 points.

Aric Cruz, meanwhile, won in Pangelinan’s old stomping grounds by topping the Intermediate Class with a perfect score of 50 points. Guam’s Richard Wenden was second with 44 points, while former MRA president Charles Cepeda was third with 38 points.

In the Veterans Class, Tim Wenden of Guam and Cuki Alvarez both finished tied with 47 points, but the former took the plum after prevailing in the second heat. Champi Villacanes took third with his 40 points.

Results of the other classes will be published in the next issue of Saipan Tribune.