BILLIE Pangelinan continues to rule the dirt track in the Power Puff Girls class as she bagged first place Sunday in the Marianas Race Association Points Race Series at Cow Town Raceway Park.
Pangelinan was nearly unstoppable as she completed the first heat of the race with ease. From start to finish, the young rider was in control, nearly one lap ahead of the competition. She completed all five rounds swiftly to clinch first place and garner 25 points. The second heat was no different as she led the pack once again and clinched her second consecutive first place finish for another 25 points.
In the battle for second place. Nanako Celis and Shaniah Alvarez went head-to-head in both heats.
But it was Celis who managed to execute the tight turns well enough to stay ahead and finish second twice for a total of 44 points while Alvarez settled for third place with a total of 40 points.
In fourth place was Emelsha Cepeda. Although she ended in fifth place in heat 1, she stepped up her game in heat 2 to slip past Sheanna Pangelinan who placed fifth overall. Both garnered 34 points.
Minis I
In the Minis I class, Stanley Iakopo Jr. claimed first place with a perfect run. He cleared both heats with ease to earn a total of 50 points.
Jonoah Santos finished second in both heats to score a total of 44 points while Harley Susulin took third place with 40 points and Te’Ohnn Pua was fourth with 36 points.
Minis II
As for the Minis II class, Vicente Palacios topped the competition with a 50-point finish while Devin Yumul came in at second with 44 points.
The battle for third place was close but, in the end, it was Mari Alvarez who edged Leighton Palacios. Alvarez earned 38 points while Palacios, who finished fourth, garnered 36 points.
In fifth place was Matthew Guerrero with 34 points followed by TJ Ferrer, Calix Cruz and Kale Macaranas. Ferrer, Cruz and Macaranas all earned 28 points.
Message from the prez
Following 2022 Points Race Series kickoff on Sunday, MRA president Charles Cepeda thanked the fans “who came out and watched the races in a beautiful breezy Sunday on the northernmost tip of Saipan.”
He added, “The nice sunny day created a day of races that included dust storms kicked up by the high powered motocross bikes and ATVs. But the racers endured the dust with great racing in all classes. There were no major injuries and only minimal crashes throughout the day. Bikes and ATVs also survived the two heat races with only a few machine breaks. Overall, it was a great day for motocross races at Cow Town for all ages.”
Cepeda likewise thanked the racers “for providing a great race day for the fans. Huge congratulations to those who assisted in preparing, organizing and volunteering for this first race of the new season. Huge thank you to the flaggers who stayed out throughout the races. To the track officials that made the race fair, safe and enjoyable: congratulations and thank you. We hope to see everyone throughout this year’s points series races. The next race is on Sunday, Feb. 27, starting at 10 a.m.”
Billie Pangelinan makes the jump during the Power Puff Girls race Sunday at Cow Town Raceway Park
Nanako Celis crosses the finish line of the Power Puff Girls race Sunday at Cow Town Raceway Park.
