Billie didn’t lose her No. 1 spot in Mini II

Billie Inabo Pangelinan in action in the Mini II Class of last Sunday’s 2023 Monster Energy Point Series Race at the Cowtown Race Track.(LAO ZHANG)

Billie Inabo Pangelinan kind of took Phil Collins’ advice in his ‘80s hit when she didn’t lose her No. 1 spot in the Mini II Class of last Sunday’s 2023 Monster Energy Point Series Race at the Cowtown Race Track.

The 13-year-old DanDan Middle School student again rolled a perfect 50 points to beat her erstwhile rivals in the Powerpuff Girls Class T.J. Ferrer and Nanako Celis, which finished with 42 points apiece. The former, however, took the No. 2 spot in Marianas Racing Association’s February race by virtue of topping the second heat.

“It feels great! I feel so relieved to receive 50 points from this race. The track was really dry and there were many rocks. It was hard to get through without sliding. I have had incidents where I almost was taken out from sliding all over the place. It was really sunny and bright out there. I was hoping for some rain for a tacky track,” said Pangelinan on winning the six-lap division twice in a row. 

That’s why understandably, she said the toughest part of the weekend series was trying not to slip and avoid the big rocks. 

“I kept sliding on the turns, hitting some rocks. Throughout the races, rocks were spread out more throughout the track, which made it more tough during the second heat!”

She added that Ferrer and Celis gave her a run for her money in the Mini II Class.

“There was competition during  the Mini II. There was a small battle with me and the two other riders. They really made the Mini II Class more interesting to watch and fun to race,” she said.

Asked if she misses the Powerpuff Girls Class, Pangelinan said she’s slowly getting used to the tougher competition in the Mini II Class.

“One difference I’ve noticed between the Minis II Class and the Powerpuff Girls Class is you’re racing with different levels of riders. There are more competitive riders in the Minis II Class. The Powerpuff Girls Class was fun to race with riders with the same gender, but the Minis II Class really brings on the show!”

She dedicated her latest win to her family for the support they always extend to her and her brothers.

“I would also like to thank my team sponsors Inas Kitchen, Pokka (Marpac) YCO True Value Hardware, Ericco Racing Team, and Rep. Roy Ada (R-Saipan),” said Pangelinan.

In the six-lap Mama’s Class, Maribel Igitol again took the cake with a perfect 50 points. She was followed by Marlyn Castro with her 44 points.
Elleayah Cruz was the lone competitor in the four-lap Mini I and went home with an automatic 50 points.

The results of other divisions in the February edition of the 2023 Monster Energy Point Series Race will be published in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.