The top 3 of the Legends Class: Franklin Rios, center, Jeffrey Rios, left, and Charles Cepeda, pose for a photo with their trophies alongside Marianas Racing Association officers and members during the awards ceremony of the 2023 MRA Turkey Cross held over the weekend at the Cow Town Raceway Park.
Aric Cruz executes a turn in the muddy tracks as he leads the Intermediate Class of the 2023 MRA Turkey Cross over the weekend at the Cow Town Raceway Park.
THE 2023 Annual Turkey Cross was a great way to end Thanksgiving as riders from Saipan and Guam duked it out over the weekend at the newly renovated Cow Town Raceway Park.
In the Veterans Class, Cuki Alvarez showcased a flawless three-heat performance to notch a win for Saipan. He finished first in both heats on Saturday and maintained the same output in the third and final heat on Sunday to accumulate a total of 75 points and secure the title.
A tiebreaker was held to determine the second-place winner as Gregorio Perez and fellow Guamanian Franklin Rios shared 62 points each. Rios had an excellent output on day 1 as he finished second in both heats, but he ended up in fourth place in the third heat. Perez trailed behind in the first two heats as he finished third, but came in second in the third heat, which determined the victor, to bag the overall second-place title.
Saipan won another title courtesy of Cuki’s son, Shane Alvarez, who finished second in the first heat and ended strong in first place in the next two heats to top the Expert Class with a total of 72 points.
In second place was Guam’s Blaze Aiken with a total of 69 points (25/22/22) with teammate Johnny Aguon in third place with 58 points (18/20/20).
Saipan also bagged the Intermediate Class title thanks to Aric Cruz who, despite finishing fourth in heat 1, recovered with two first-place finishes to hold a total of 68 points. Guam’s Kanen Arceo settled for second place with 64 points (22/22/20) while Saipan’s Vicente Palacios took third place with 56 points (20/20/16).
Guam’s Arceo did not end the weekend empty-handed as he clinched the Novice Class title with finesse. He finished first in all three heats for a total of 75 points. Saipan’s Palacios came in second with 64 points (22/22/20) while teammate Matthew Guerrero was third with 58 points (18/18/22).
In the Big Boy ATV Class, Saipan’s Christian Camacho steered his way to the top unscathed with 75 points. In second place was Greg Clark from Florida with 62 points (22/20/22) while Guam’s Bob Bucek came in third with 60 points (20/18/22).
Clark topped the ATV Veterans Class with 70 points. Bucek gave Clark a run for his money as he shadowed closely behind, but fell short by just one point, settling for second place with 69 points (22/22/25). For his part, Saipan’s Henry Camacho Sr. claimed third place with 62 points (20/20/22).
A Legends Class (55 and above) was added to the mix, which gave the former local superstars of the 70’s and 80’s an opportunity to shine once again. However, with only three competitors, Ray Yumul requested to join and MRA decided to make him an honorable “Legend” during the two-day event as he essentially has been riding since the 1980’s anyway.
Frank “The Crank” Camacho’s father, Frank Sr., is a former rider but did not have a bike and had not raced in years. He did have a practice run a few weeks back, however.
Finishing first in the Legends Class was 65-year-old Franklin Rios from Guam, who garnered 75 points. In second place was Jeffrey Rios with 64 points (22/22/20) while MRA President Charles Cepeda came in third with 62 points (20/20/22).
“The MRA Turkey Cross 2023 wrapped up after two days of intense racing,” Cepeda said. “The Guam racers arrived on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, to get some practice in at the Cow Town track. It had been months since they last rode on a track, so they made the most of their time at Cow Town.”
Cepeda extended his gratitude to the 39 riders from Guam and the over 45 riders from Saipan who participated in the thrilling two-day event.
“Countless memories were made both on and off the track, as we fostered a sense of competition during the races and a feeling of family off the track,” Cepeda said. “Cow Town provided an excellent venue for everyone, ensuring a great experience for all. The people of Saipan warmly welcomed the racers and their families from Guam, treating them to delicious meals, shopping trips, and sightseeing adventures. The island’s hospitality truly left a lasting impression on everyone,” he added.
On behalf of MRA, he also thanked the event sponsors, which included the Offices of the Governor and Lt. Governor, the CNMI Legislature, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Public Works, Monster Energy, D&Q Distributors, Old Spice, Marpac, Joeten Motors, JEM Enterprises, IT&E, Godfather’s Bar, Saipan Ice & Water, Galaxy Snack Bar, and all those who contributed in any way.
“Organizing an event like the Turkey Cross motocross races requires a dedicated team, and we are grateful for everyone’s support,” Cepeda said.
“A special shoutout goes to the National Honor Society from Saipan Southern High School for stepping up at the last minute to serve as flaggers and manage the traffic at Cow Town. Their assistance was invaluable,” he added.
“Personally, I am thrilled to be part of a community that shares a passion for motocross on our islands. We may be fiercely competitive on the track, but it’s the love and camaraderie within our motocross family that makes this sport truly special. It’s heartwarming to see the National Honor Society students from Saipan Southern High School selflessly volunteering their time to ensure the smooth flow of traffic at Cow Town. Their dedication and willingness to step up at the last minute is a testament to the strong sense of community we have in our motocross family. Together, we create an environment where not only the thrill of competition thrives, but also the bonds of friendship and support,” Cepeda said.
The results of the other races will be featured in Variety’s next edition.
