Vicente Palacios gets some air time as he completes a lap in the Intermediate Class during round 7 of the Marianas Racing Association’s “Moto IV” 2024 Points Race Series at CowTown Raceway Park on Sunday.
VICENTE Palacios on Sunday recorded his first overall win in the Intermediate Class in round 7 of the Marianas Racing Association’s “Moto IV” 2024 Points Race Series at CowTown Raceway Park.
Vicente, also known as “BengBeng the DengDeng,” clinched first place overall with a total of 47 points.
Even though MRA decided to combine three classes for one big exciting race, Palacios was able to zone out the distraction and establish the lead in heat 1 by finishing first and garnering 25 points.
In heat 2, Palacios failed to maintain the lead as his rival, Aric Cruz, took over the driver’s seat with a first-place finish while Palacios came in second.
But because Cruz finished third in heat 1, which earned him 20 points, his total score was 45 points, two less then Palacios, who clinched overall first place with 47 points. Charles Cepeda came in third with 42 points.
Palacios credited his victory to using his experience “from when I first started riding back in 2020 as well as my ability to shift on time and take the right lines around the track.”
He said the competition has been tough because of the likes of Aric Cruz, who is one of the fastest in the Intermediate Class. “It’s been tough competing against him. I would say Aric is my rival only because it’s always us two battling it out for first place and he’s always been fast these past few years,” Palacios said.
He said he fell in love with the sport because his entire family shares the same love. “I’ve just grown to love this sport despite all the ups and downs over the years. The thing that makes me come back every round is the people I’m around with at the track and how everyone is so fun to be around,” added the 15-year-old upcoming Marianas High School sophomore.
Other winners
In the Big Boy ATV Class, Greg Clark finished first with 47 points, snapping Christian Camacho’s streak. Camacho settled for second place with 45 points while Henry Camacho Sr. came in third with 42 points.
In the Veterans Class, Cuki Alvarez came out on top once again with a perfect 50-point finish followed by Champi Villacanes with 44, Charles Cepeda with 40, and Bob Ferrer and Ponce Rasa with 34 points each.
In the Novice Class, Christian Camacho earned a flawless finish with 50 points followed by Matthew Guerrero with 42 points and Ponce Rasa with 42.
In the Expert Class, Shane Alvarez remains unscathed with another 50-point finish followed by Corry Pangelinan, Ellery Cruz and Patrick Togawa, each garnering 40 points.
