DEVIN Yumul and Michael Camacho Jr. are among the young riders of the Marianas Racing Association 2021 Points Race Series who have shown what they are capable of.
In the Mini 1 Class, Devin Yumul took over the scene by besting six other riders. In the first two rounds, the 13-year-old notched 50-point finishes and then scored 47, 43, and 47 points in the next three rounds before recording another 50-point performance in rounds six and seven to collect a total of 337 points and claim overall first place.
He told Variety that he started riding in November of last year and was taught by his father, Ray Yumul.
“I feel great and happy and proud of myself,” Devin Yumul said after receiving the Red Plate trophy and $250 cash prize at the MRA awards banquet on July 28 at the Saipan World Resort Taga Hall.
Asked what he will aim for in the next season, he said, “I will join the Mini 2 Class.”
In Mini 2 Class, his older brother, Ethan Yumul, placed second overall.
Their father, Ray Yumul, is more than satisfied with his children’s performance.
“My kids are committed to riding and they took their training seriously — I think that really helped improve their abilities. It’s a very mental and physical sport,” Ray Yumul added.
Coming in second in the Mini 1 Class was Harley Susulin who garnered a total of 266 points to take home a trophy and $150 cash. Stanley Iakopo Jr. finished third with 231 points to earn a trophy and $100 cash.
In the Mini 2 Class, Michael Camacho Jr. finished first. The 13-year-old rider has two years of experience behind him and it definitely showed as he had a near-perfect performance throughout the seven rounds, scoring 50’s in each of them except in round seven when he scored 40 to amass a total of 340 points and secure the Red Plate trophy and $250 cash.
“I started when I was 12, and this is why my dad chose #12 to be my number,” he told Variety.
At first, he did not have any interest in motocross, but after his father, Michael Camacho Sr., gave him a proverbial taste of the off-road sport, he fell in love with it instantly.
“I trust my gear and my ride,” Camacho Jr. said. “I’ve never been injured yet but they all tell me it’s part of the sport — so if I get injured I’ll blame the sport,” he added in jest.
As for getting the Red Plate trophy, Camacho Jr. said, “It feels good to win first place. I thank my dad for pushing me to be a better rider, and I also thank my team, Trench Tech, for sharing tips and tricks and giving me advice.”
Sharing the spotlight in the Mini 2 Class were Ethan Yumul who placed second with a total score of 314 points to take home a trophy and $150 cash; and third placer Mariana Alvarez who received a trophy and $100 cash for her 250-point performance.
Devin Yumul, center, holds the Red Plate first place trophy in the Mini 1 Class as he poses for a photo with second placer Harley Susulin, left, and Stanley Iakopo Jr., who finished third, at the awards banquet of the Marianas Racing Association 2021 Points Race Series on July 28 at the Saipan World Resort Taga Hall.
Michael Camacho Jr, center, holds the Red Plate first prize trophy in Mini 2 Class with Ethan Yumul, left, who finished second, and third place Mariana Alvarez, right, at the awards banquet of the Marianas Racing Association 2021 Points Race Series on July 28 at the Saipan World Resort Taga Hall.
