Celis lords it over Veterans Class

Dave Celis rides his 2021 Yamaha YZ250F to victory in the Veterans Class of the Marianas Racing Association’s 2021 Point Series Race last Sunday at the CowTown Raceway Park in Marpi. (Joseph Chin)

Dave Celis is now six-for-six in the Veterans Class of the Marianas Racing Association’s 2021 Point Series Race after winning last Sunday’s race at CowTown Raceway Park in Marpi.

The 43-year-old from Chalan Kanoa, who’s been religiously training every weekend with good friend Cuki Alvarez at the dirt track even on non-race days, swept both races last Sunday to get a perfect 50 points. It marked the third straight race he’s garnered 50 points dating back from the fourth race.

Thanks to his trusty 2021 Yamaha YZ250F, Celis now has 285 points on the strength of winning all races thus far in the revered Veterans Class.

“My strategy is to finish the race strong and maintain a steady speed constantly throughout the race,” he told Saipan Tribune when asked about the secret of his dominance in the division.

Just like Alvarez in the Expert Class, Celis is almost a shoe-in for the championship in Veterans Class and he himself knows it.

“I’m currently the points leader at 285 points so this coming July 27 I need to place at least in the Top 4 to take the No. 1 place for the Veterans Class,” he said.

Speaking of Alvarez, the Expert Class leader is 21 points behind Celis in the Veterans Class with 264 points after another runner-up finish to the latter last Sunday gave him 44 points. Melvin Cepeda remains steady in third place overall with 238 points after finishing fourth after Celis, Alvarez, and Champi Villacanes in race No. 6 last Sunday. Villacanes and Cepeda earned 40 and 36 points in the last race.

In the Novice Class, pacesetter Henry Camacho Jr. finished tied in last Sunday’s race with second-ranked Corry Pangelinan with 47 points apiece. Elphrain Taimanao came out of nowhere to grab third place and got 40 points for all his troubles.

In the overall rankings, Camacho maintained his narrow lead over Pangelinan, 254-243. Third place is still Kier Agda with his 211 points.

Ezekiel Camacho topped last Sunday’s race in the Peewee 1 Class with 47 points, followed by Zane Fujihara and Roman Tudela with 42 and 38 points, respectively. Overall, Camacho’s 254 points reigns supreme with Fujihara and Conan Iakopo trailing with 231 and 229 points, respectively.

In the Peewee 2 Class, Jonoah Santos made it six straight perfect 50 points after once again leading the division. He now has 300 points overall and is a cinch to take home the overall championship. Conan Iakopo finished second last Sunday with 44 points, while T.J. Ferrer came in third with 40 points. Keenon Togawa is still in second place overall with 245 points, followed by Ferrer’s 204 points.