Early favorites deliver

Jonoah Santos is way ahead of his competitors in the Peewee 2 Class during the opening leg of the Marianas Racing Association Point Race Season last Sunday at the CowTown Raceway Park. (Joseph Chin)

The riders to watch in the Marianas Racing Association Point Race Season lived up to expectations early into the competition after ruling their respective events during last Sunday’s kick-off leg at the CowTown Raceway Park.

Jonoah Santos, who topped five of MRA’s seven practice heats, drew first blood in the Peewee 2 Class after winning both heats in the division. Santos got 25 points each for his victories on heats 1 and 2 to collect 50 in the opening leg and beat Keenon Togawa (44), Trey Manglona (38), and T.J. Ferrer (38). Togawa finished second in both heats, while Manglona was fourth on Heat 1 and beat Ferrer in the tiebreak for third place overall after coming in second on Heat 2. Based on MRA rules, tiebreaks are resolved by getting the results of the second heat.

Zane Fujihira clears one of the hills along the course. (Joseph Chin)

In the Peewee 1 Class there was also a standoff for first place with Zane Fujihira prevailing over Ezekiel Camacho. Fuhijira, which recorded a couple of wins in the practice heats before the season-opening race, dislodged Ezekiel from the top spot after finishing first in the second heat.

The Peewee 1 Class opening leg winner gained 25 points on Heat 2 and 22 on Heat 1 for his 47 markers. Ezekiel had the same total after prevailing on Heat 1 and settling for second on Heat 2. Kasidee Villagomez rounded out the podium finish in the division after earning 40 points for her third place finish in both heats.

Minis I Class winner Devin Yumul is flanked by Harley Susulin, left, and Leighton Palacios at the podium during the awards ceremony in the opening leg of the Marianas Racing Association Point Race Season last Sunday at the CowTown Raceway Park. (Contributed Photo)

Completing the finishers’ list in the Peewee 1 Class were Bentley Koshiro (30), Tate Manglona (30), Ramon Camacho (27), Rockson Cabrera (27), Keoni Rosario (24), Kaleb Reyes (18), and Baby Joe Santos (18). Koshiro jumped to fourth with his fifth place finish (16 points) on Heat 2, three notches higher than his ranking on Heat 1 (14 points). Reyes and Baby Joe were at the bottom of the rankings, as the former missed Heat 1 and the latter did not race on Heat 2.

Meanwhile, M.J. Camacho, Brooklyn Susulin, and Theresa Borja also delivered in last weekend’s kick-off races.

Camacho, who dominated the Minis 2 Class’ practice heats for three months, picked up where he left off beating six other riders in the division. He won both heats to notch 50 points and prevail against Ethan Yumul (44), Mari Alvarez (40), Maribel Igitol (36), Aric Cruz (32), Kale Macaranas (30), and Frankie Sablan (28).

Brooklynn Susulin approaches the hilly part of the course. (Contributed Photo)

In the Minis I Class, Devin Yumul also earned 50 points for ruling heats 1 and 2 to take the top spot in the podium. Harley Susulin (44 points) came in at second, while Leighton Palacios edged Kimason Cabrera in the tiebreak for third. Palacios and Cabrera had 38 points each, but the former made it to the podium after placing third on Heat 2.

In the Mini ATV Class, Theresa Borja, who also earned top finish in the pre-season races, completed heats 1 and 2 first to take the division top honors. There was a tie for second place with Nevaeh Camacho winning, as she placed second on Heat 2, while Jesus Santos dropped to third. Camacho and Santos had 42 points apiece to join Borja in the podium, while Melvin Reyes (36) and Kassidy Camacho were the other riders entered in the Mini ATV Class.

In the Peewee ATV Class, Brooklynn won her one-on-one showdown against Skyler Togawa to start the season on a strong note,