Cruz, Guerrero repeat in Intermediate, Novice classes

Aric Cruz and Matthew Guerrero repeated as champions of their respective divisions in last Sunday’s 2024 “MOTO IV” Points Race Series at the Cowtown Race Park in Marpi.

Cruz, a 17-year-old incoming senior at Saipan Southern High School, continued his sweep of the Intermediate Class by totaling another perfect 50 points. Vicente “Beng” Palacios and Charles Cepeda came second and third with 44 points and 40 points, respectively.

“The course was very slippery the first heat, but it was perfect during the second heat. The weather was rainy for the most part but it cleared up eventually,” said Cruz.

He then dedicated his win to his family and friends, “because they have been putting in their support toward me.” He also thanked all his sponsors, namely Inas Kitchen, YCO True Value, 670 Rocksteady, TurnKey Solutions, Ericco Racing Team, and Rep. Joseph Flores (Ind-Saipan) for the tent donation.

“I would also like to thank my personal sponsors Marpac, Marianas Native, ChokeChain Athletics, Winners Hardware, and Pacific line Construction,” he said.

Guerrero, meanwhile, followed up his first win in the Novice Class by winning both heats for a perfect 50 points. Christian Camacho was second with his 44 points, while Ponce Rasa was third with 40 points.

“I feel like after all that practice and hard work paid off for last Sunday’s race. The course was really muddy and slippery in the first heat and hard to see if someone was in front of you but the second heat was better and pretty tacky and I was able to get more traction than the first. The weather was very cloudy and rainy,” said Guerrero.

The 14-year-old Mt. Carmel School student then thanked his coach Ellery Cruz, his parents, and family for their support of his motocross hobby. He also extended his kudos to Inas Kitchen, YCO True Value, 670 Rocksteady, TurnKey solutions, Ericco Racing Team, Rep. Joseph (Ind-Saipan) for the tent donation, Marianas Racing Association, and IT&E.

MRA president Ellery Cruz, meanwhile, thanked MRA members and their families for continuing to show up and show out in every weather condition at the Cowtown Race Park.

“Sunday’s race saw rainy and muddy conditions for Heat 1 and then the sun came out enough to help get the track dry enough to give a perfect tacky condition for great racing in the second heat. We also want to thank the fans that came out to cheer us on, you guys are awesome. MRA would also like to thank IT&E and Monster Energy for sponsoring our event.”

He added that the 2024 season is coming to a near close with two races left scheduled to take place on Aug. 4 and 25.

“We invite the entire public to come out and watch our riders battle it out to garner their final points and see who comes out victorious for the 2024 points race season,” he said.

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