Maribel, Beng dominate Mama, Novice classes

Maribel Igitol, left, and Vicente “Beng” Palacios in action in the Mamas Class and Novice Class of the 2023 Monster Energy Point Series Race last Sunday at the Cowtown Race Track. (TISHA FERRER)

Maribel Igitol and Vicente “Beng” Palacios were very greedy in the first quarter of the 2023 Monster Energy Point Series Race.

This, after Igitol and Palacios swept all three races with perfect scores in the Mama Class and Novice Class, respectively, of the Marianas Racing Association-organization competition. 

Igitol again won both heats last Sunday at the Cowtown Race Track to fend off challenges from second place Merissa Rasa (44 points) and third place Mar Castro (40 points).

The 37-year-old Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School teacher said racing in the newest MRA division gave her the opportunity to spread her wings in the sport. 

“This is my third season, so I got many opportunities to work on my technique and skills on the track, but of course, there’s still so much room for improvement. In my first season in 2020, I rode with in the Minis II division then moved on to the Novice Class in 2021 and when the Mamas division opened up this year, I decided to ride with the other ‘Mamas.’ So I got to experience riding with many other riders over the years.”

As for the track conditions during the race, Igitol said it was unusually hot and dry.

“The track was dusty as usual but the track was nice and smooth. Thank you to MRA for always making the track smooth and safe for the riders,” she said.

Igitol then thanked her family for always supporting her motocross hobby.

“They’re my support system and motivation,” she said, while also extending her special thanks to Sgt. Ivan M. Igitol.

Palacios, meanwhile, has garnered a total of 150 points as he’s about to exhaust his eligibility in the beginners division with perfect scores in the first three iterations of the series

The 14-year-old DanDan Middle School student won both heats last Sunday to beat Christian Camacho and Matthew Guerrero who settled for second and third place with 44 points and 36 points, respectively. 

“I am getting faster and that’s the goal. I just have to keep pushing myself to ride my 100% limit. The track was good and the weather, but the track got a little slippery from all the loose dirt but I just rode my race and rode like it was practice,” said Palacios, who dedicated his March victory to his family, his racing team, and sponsors.

In the Veterans Class, Dave Celis again stamped his class with another perfect 50 points, joining Igitol and Palacios with 150 points through the January-March races of the MRA circuit. 

Justis “Cuki” Alvarez and Champi Villacanas complete the Top 3 with 44 points and 40 points, respectively. 

Bentley Koshiro, meanwhile, was the lone racer in the Peewee I Class and bagged 50 points. 

In the Mini ATV Class, Franchesca Yumul ruled the roost with 47 points, followed by Kimason Cabrera and Anella Igitol with 45 points and 22 points, respectively.