Tumon, Guam — The year round summer-like climate on Guam is great for sports, but this spring is especially loaded with athletic events. April features another in the series of what is called “the toughest one day race in Asia,” the GEAR Sprint Series Race #4. This tough race pits competitors against the elements, as well as each other, in a grueling race over rough terrain in exhaustive heat and high humidity, all leading towards the Guam Extreme Adventure Race 7 in May. The GEAR Sprint Series Race #4 takes place on April 14th and for more information, including how to participate, log on to their website at www.guamextremeadventurerace.com
Guam’s population numbers will jump the entire weekend of April 13th through the 15th, as international competitors arrive to put the pedal to the metal in Guam’s longest running off road race, the 25th annual Smokin’ Wheels. This motorsports extravaganza will include three days of competition that includes off-road buggies, trucks, ATV’s, mini-bikes, and motocross along with 4X4 rock crawling and mud-bog drag racing, auto-x, and two nights of drag racing that will bring out the top cars of sport.
Participants from Guam will be going up against some of the best racers in the world, including racers from the Japan All Terrain Vehicle Association (JATVA) who have been sending drivers to participate in Smokin’ Wheels since 1985. One very special competitor this year is Japan’s top racer, Hiro Mitsushita. In 1995, Mitsushita was the first Japanese racer to ever compete in the Indy 500 and the only rookie to finish.