By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Marianas Racing Association will go ahead with its August point Race next Sunday at the Cowtown Raceway Park in Marpi despite a Department of Public Land’s decision rejecting a land request.
MRA president Eric Cruz said yesterday he met with Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Daisy Villagomez-Bier and she told them to continue racing at the Marpi facility.
In June, DPL secretary John S. Del Rosario, Jr., told Rep. Martin B. Ada, R-Saipan, in a letter that they are rejecting the land request for motocross facilities in Marpi citing the administration’s position on reserving public lands for new investors that will help boost the economy.
Ada sent the DPL a letter on May 1 this year requesting the use of a portion of land in Marpi for motorsports activities.
DPL’s decision drew the ire of the community, specifically the Marianas Racing Association.
MRA president Eric Cruz even wrote to Del Rosario saying motorsports enthusiasts will suffer most with the rejection of the land request. Other MRA members were also disappointed saying they were the ones who developed the land into a good and safe racing facility.
Cruz and MRA then went to DCCA, which, according to the MRA president, was originally the one in charge of designating lands for public use.
After the meeting, MRA secretary Eleanor Cepeda in an email to the Variety said that Bier assured Cruz that MRA can continue its races in Marpi.
In a separate interview, Cruz said they can use the facility as long as there are no investors interested in the disputed land.
“It’s a sigh of relief, at least even for now, for the riders, especially the kids,” Cepeda said. “As for the property being leased by investors, we will worry about that in the future, at least for now we know we’re okay.”
“The Marianas Racing Association and its members wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Bier and all those involved for this wonderful news and for helping the club out,” she added.
The MRA August point race will start at 10 a.m. and the association is inviting the public to see the high-flying action at the raceway park.