THIS letter is to all motor sports racers, fans, and enthusiasts in the CNMI. Previously I’ve mentioned that we are in need of a race track. Recently, an offroad track was developed on Tinian. This was prepared for the Tinian Fiesta Offroad Challenge, a starting point of the CNMI’s Offroad Race Track thanks to the people and the government officials of Tinian. Offroad racers of Tinian now have a track to practice, do a score race every weekend, and have a major event races occasionally, a great attraction.
I hope this will expand soon, and Tinian will have an international race. Since the race track is permanent, I’m sure that Saipan, Ivan Stewardt’s pro truck organizations, Guam racing federation, Philippine, Japan, and U.S. racers will be joining the main events, which is the Tinian Fiesta. Back in the past, I remember racing every year at the Tinian Fiesta, the whole racing teams used to go there aboard the Marianas Queen car ferry that once was available, then at the North Field, the quarter mile drag racing was held. Oh, the North Field. Are there any proposal for a drag racing event or to develop them? That old runway is so huge that a drag racing could be held anytime. How about to develop a race way park there, I’m sure everyone would be more than happy to see one there.
About Saipan, I’m wondering if there is any way that we could re-open the People’s Park. Could the government help to develop a race way park on another government lad. I always thought about the Marpi area where Cowtown was. That was previously proposed for a golf coarse development. A huge land reaching till near the Grotto, but the development will no longer take place anymore. Isn’t it a perfect place to develop the People’s Park? Guam re-opened the Guam Race Way Park on a huge piece of government land in Yigo. You could just go to the Internet and advance search Guam Racing Federations or Guam Race Way Park, you will see tons of GovGuam legislation. You can see how the government there processed and helped developed the new race way park. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a motor sports action here in Saipan once again? It will be one big attraction to all.
Race track does have concession fees, entrance fees (both spectators and racers), events sponsors, etc. This will take care of the needs, then if there is an event, many off-island racers and visitors will come to the CNMI. Like Guam, they re-opened at a public land. Thanks to GovGuam, Ivan Stewardt, including his organizations that are all top racers in the U.S. and all the other countries’ top racers coming to their events. Like Guam, this will be one major attraction, an economic development for the CNMI.
Therefore, I hope the general public and the CNMI government officials could realize this soon. Please don’t think negative about racing. This will change the whole meaning of motor sports. I’m sure most of you know what motor sport or racing is all about. There are lots of people of all ages and racers of different categories (offroad, drag, etc.) out there. Unfortunately, there is no race track on Saipan.
I hope motor sports here in the CNMI could be recognized once again. Hopefully, somebody could take some actions! We need to keep this wonderful sport and attractions revived again. If our government officials could only give attention to motor sports.KAZUNORI IKEDA
Gualo Rai, Saipan
