CUKI Alvarez continues to show that he’s one of the island’s fastest riders on the dirt track as he recorded his second straight first-place finish in the Expert Class during round 2 of the Marianas Racing Association 2025 Points Race Series at Cowtown Raceway Park in Marpi on Sunday.
Competition in the Expert Class has always been tough, but Alvarez knows how to pick his battles, excelling when it mattered most to clinch first place for the second time in a row.
Every rider was in full throttle in Heat 1, but the race was between Alvarez and his son, Shane. After several tight turns, jumps, and lead exchanges, it was Shane who finished first with 25 points while Cuki settled for second place with 22 points.
For Heat 2, Cuki made the right adjustments and finished first to collect 25 points, securing the overall top seat with a total of 47 points.
Shane finished fourth in Heat 2, but it was enough to clinch overall second place with a total of 43 points.
Ellery Cruz and Aric Cruz scored 40 points each, but Ellery’s second-place finish in Heat 2 gave him the overall third-place spot while Aric settled for fourth place.
Other classes
Earning the spotlight in round 2 was Melvin Cepeda, who finished first overall in two separate classes.
Cepeda was unmatched in the Veterans Class, finishing first in both heats to garner 50 points. There was a three-way tie for second place, but Bob Ferrer secured the runner-up spot overall with a second-place finish in Heat 2, while Charles Cepeda settled for third and Cuki Alvarez finished fourth, each scoring 40 points.
Melvin Cepeda claimed his second win in the Intermediate Class, edging out Matthew Guerrero in a tiebreaker by finishing first in Heat 2. Guerrero had won Heat 1, and both riders finished with 47 points.
In third place was Billie Pangelinan with 40 points followed by Charles Cepeda with 36.
Although Billie Pangelinan finished third in the Intermediate Class, she delivered a perfect 50-point performance to win the Women’s Class, beating Mari Alvarez (44 points) and Sheanna Pangelinan (40 points).
In the Power Puff Girls Class, Kesiil Camacho recorded a flawless run as she finished first overall with 50 points while Hiromi Sasamoto settled for second place with 44 points and Deryielle Aldan came in third with 40 points.
As for the Mini II Class, TJ bagged his second 50-point performance followed by Calix Cruz in second place with 44 points.
Mia Guerrero, the only competitor in the Mini ATV Class, earned 50 points.
“This past weekend, the engines roared, and the dirt flew…. Under hot skies and a welcome breeze, racers from across the island battled tough track conditions and dry, dusty terrain. Loose dirt in some sections created low visibility, but riders rose to the challenge, and we’re happy to report no major accidents during the event,” MRA President Ellery Cruz said. “Fans were treated to a full slate of races, with standout performances across all classes.”
Expert Class riders line up at the starting gate for round 2 of the MRA 2025 Points Race Series at Cowtown Raceway Park in Marpi on Sunday.
Contributed photo
Hiromi Sasamoto executes a turn during a Power Puff Girls Class race of the MRA 2025 Points Race Series at Cowtown Raceway Park in Marpi on Sunday.
Contributed photo
