With the entire course totaling almost 50 miles long, the fourth edition of Beach Road Magazine’s car rally proved to be the longest and most difficult rally ever.
Strictly following instructions and monitoring their time, navigator, Glenn Policare, activity manager at Pacific Islands Club and his driver, dive instructor, Mayuki Kebukawa, scored 1,059 points to clinch victory. They were the first team arrive at every check point.
“This is a bitter-sweet victory. I really wanted to do well this year,” said Policare whose car overheated last year that forced him out of competition.
Policare and Kebukawa won $200, gift packs, and a trophy.
The team of Anna Manibusan and Beach Road Magazine April 2004 cover model Darryl Aldan came in second with 1,041 points and received $150, gift packs, and a trophy.
First-time participants Jan Michael Reyes and Sharisse Rivera finished third with 1,018 points. They received $100, gift packs, and a trophy.
Fourth to 12th place winners received gift certificates and Coca-Cola premium items.
Beach Road Magazine Car Rally Master and sales manager Susan Marchitti says, “This year had a nice mix of veteran and new competitors, and the winners were a combination of both. The course was longer and possibly more challenging, but for the most part, the contestants performed well and everyone seemed to have a good time. While one car overheated early in the event, everyone else made it through to the end even though it was a very warm day and there were several events taking place around the island that caused some interference.”
The close to 49.3-mile-long car rally started at the Hollywood Theaters parking lot where participants, with their set of instructions, began finding their way to the checkpoints located at San Antonio, Oleai Beach Bar, Governor’s Office, and Joeten Kagman.
This year’s route is longer than that of last year that ran only 43 miles around the island.
All but one of the 12 cars reached the finish line last Saturday.
The team with biggest number of enthusiasts was CDG Pawnshop. They were ten of them in a van driven by Anthony Salmino and navigated by Edmon Garcia.
Beach Road Magazine’s car rally remains a crowd drawer, as more than 30 participants comprising 12 teams showed up this year.
With a $15 registration, the participants received complimentary shirt and drinks.
Owing to the continued support of the public, Beach Road Magazine is extending the rally’s run for another year.
Coinciding with its 5th year, the car rally promises a bigger, expanded edition in 2011 with bigger prizes at stake.
Glimpses of Saipan, publisher of Beach Road Magazine, extends its gratitude to all supporters including DPS, DPH, EMS, PHI Pharmacy, Budget Rent A Car, Megabyte, Micronesian Brokers, Coca-Cola, Subway, Foremost, Scoops, Get Covered Enterprises, Saipan Grand Hotel, Revolving Restaurant 360, World Resort, Pacific Islands Club, Topnotch, Saipan Advertising, Elite Printing and Steam Car Wash.
