SPORT BRIEFS

MRA POINT RACE THIS SUNDAY

The Marianas Racing Association returns to the Cowtown Raceway Park for a points race this Sunday in will also serve as the final tune-up for next month’s annual international event.

For now, the best riders of Saipan will duel in the dirt for points and places atop their ATVs and Dirt Bikes in two heats beginning at 10am. There will be an afternoon session following a brief break for food and fuel, but organizers plan to wrap up the day’s events by approximately 4pm.

As always, admission to the MRA points series races is free, and the riders and their supporters are encouraging everyone to make the journey to the north end for the festivities.

In addition to spectators, the MRA is also hoping to lure some of their recent absentee riders to the track in order to make any final preparations for next month.

For those who made the trip to the track last year, the MRA is offering a surprise, as the newly designed facility will bring more of the high-flying action that pleased crowds in the 2004 campaign.

The riders will be competing in the Big Boys ATV’s, the Peewee 50 and Peewee 80, the 65cc, 85cc, 125cc-to include the unrivaled Fast and Furious division, and the Veterans Class for riders aged 30 and over.

NO PAY, NO PLAY FOR MASTERS CAGE LEAGUE

Players over the age of 35 years are already itching to showcase their skills on the hardcourt, however, before putting their skills and endurance to the test, they must first pay the required entrance fee for the 2005 BANMI Masters Basketball League.

This according to BANMI president Mike Muna, who disclosed during the association’s monthly meeting Wednesday that the league will not begin until teams pay the entrance fee of $500. The deadline for payment was originally set for last Friday and the start on June 10, however, only two of the 10 interested teams submitted payment.

“We’re going to have to wait another week or two and see what happens,” Muna said. “We have a no pay-no play rule and we’re following it.”

Meanwhile, the league has already secured confirmation of six teams for the 35-and-over division and four for the 45-and-over category.

DFS FUN RUN ON JUNE 18

The Tom Picarro Memorial Fun Run or Silver Streak would be held on June 18 along the Saipan Beach Pathway.

The 4.2-mile run will start at DFS Garapan Galleria and continues south to Quartermaster Road, turn around at the tank, and return to the Galleria.

The event is in memory of the former president of DFS Saipan and avid runner, P. Thomas Picarro. The course run follows one of the favorite practice courses of the silver-haired man that used to wave at everyone as they drove by.

There will be a $5 registration fee, and all of the proceeds will be given to the Guma Esperanza. There will be several age divisions and prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place as well as first place over all men and woman.

T-shirts will be given to the first 175 finishers, and according to Mojica, racers will have their work cut out for them.

Registration forms can be picked up at DFS Saipan Limited head office on the second floor of the Galleria between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, in the boutique offices from 9am to 9pm, daily, or at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym in Oleai.

For further information call Wolf Mojica at 234-6615, ext. 540.