Riders already arriving for MX Championships
The wait for hairpin turns and thrilling jumps on the motocross course will soon end as the 2005 Saipan MX International Championships kicks off tomorrow at the Cowtown Raceway Park in Marpi.
According to host Marianas Racing Association, several international riders have already arrived on island while more are expected to arrive today and tomorrow.
MRA director Dan Camacho said riders from the Philippines, including defending champion Popeye Rubi, actor Jordan Herrera, and many-time Saipan visitor Jing Leongson, as well as riders from Japan and Guam, were scheduled to arrive yesterday. New Zealand’s James “Robo” Robertson is also on island.
The two-day competition also features local extreme riders from Saipan and Tinian, as well as riders from Guam and Argentina.
“Preparations are going pretty good,” Camacho said. “Everything is going well and according to plan…we cross our fingers that everything will turn out alright.”
He added that with the international competition just around the corner, the track is currently being modified.
“The track is in the process of being repaired,” he said. “The jumps got bigger. The design is still the same, however, there are more technical turns and also the double jump is a little steeper, but not too steep for the little kids but it will be challenging.”
Camacho said riders would have a final chance of practicing on the track today from 8am to 12pm. The track will then be closed this afternoon in preparation for the competition.
In preparation for the international competition, MRA has hosted several tune-up races, such as its monthly points race, with its latest occurring just last June 26.
Top honors for the race went to Brittney Camacho in the Mini ATV, Edina Cepeda in the Peewee 50, Patty Cepeda in the Peewee 80, Aaron Pangelinan in the 60-65cc, Shane Alvarez in the 80-85cc Fast and Furious Expert, Christian Manzanares in the 80-85cc Novice, Roman Tudela in the 125cc Expert, Glen Pangelinan in the 125cc Novice, Melvin Cepeda in the Veterans class, Christian Camacho in the Big Boy ATV Expert, and Ton Alepuyo in the Big Boy ATV Novice.
