Over 5K race fans attend Smokin’ Wheels Racing Weekend

GUAM—Over 5,000 race fans flocked to the Guam International Raceway on April 8 and 9 for Smokin’ Wheels Racing Weekend. Fans were treated to eight different motorsport competitions in Guam’s longest running and biggest motorsports event with international participation and coverage featuring racers and media from Japan, the U.S. mainland, Guam, and the CNMI.

In the Pro Off-Road Main Event, the Triple J Ford Truck driven by Rick Johnson and Brian Pine was victorious in the three-hour endurance race.

The win was the fourth first place finish for the Triple J Ford team in the last five Smokin’ Wheels events.

Last year’s second place winner Marcus Guerrero once again drove his buggy to second, finishing a lap behind Johnson and Pine.

Mechanical problems derailed Ikuo Hanawa, Japan’s No. 1 Off-Road Pro, and his 4WD Trophy Truck ended in fourth place. Local racers Pete and Paul Santos, and Bill Windham completed the entire race finishing in 6th and 10th places, respectively, in the 1600 and under Buggy Class.

The course was very challenging, and only 10 out of the 21 racers that started the race finished, including Henry Simpson whose buggy went down on lap one.

The Guam Off-Road Association ran three different competitions, including two brand new events.

On Saturday, the Miller Lite Rock and Crawl featured the live music of Joyride and Eve Swallowed during the Rock Crawling competition.

Paul Santos took first place in the 35”-37” Tire Class, and Dwayne Taitano edged out Brian Cabaccang and Joey Quichocho for the Open Class victory. Dwayne Taitano and Paul Santos also took first in the Obstacle course as well.

On Sunday afternoon, a packed crowd was treated to the first-ever Mud Drags event. John Walker drove his Jeep through the mud to a first place finish in the Open Class. James Pangadian was first in 35”-38” Division, and David Ledger took the 34” and under title.

Smokin’ Wheels also featured official Japan ATV races, with a large contingent of Japanese riders traveling to Guam for the race. Japan’s No. 1 rider, Seiya Sakuma, thrilled spectators with huge jumps and aerial acrobatics. Sakuma easily took first place in both the endurance and pro heat races.

The team of Robert Santos and Brandon Johnson were the top local finishers in the ATV Enduro, coming in third place. In the Motocycle Two-Hour Endurance Race, the team of Shane Morrison and Caleb Barretto edged out Nic Yasuhiro and Motokazo Otsuka.

Saturday night belonged to the quarter mile, with an exciting bracket racing tournament. Shawn Johnson was the fastest bike, and Ricardo Salonga took home the Street Division. Luke Mosley continued his dominance of the Sportsman Division, and Larry Castro beat out Willie Brennan in the Pro Division. The crown also witnessed a record-breaking run by Romeo Barcinella, who drove the Shell V Power Firebird to a track record for a door slammer, 8.55 E.T. Nissan beat out Triple J in the Dealership Challenge.

The Autocross race, normally run in the parking lot, was run on the drag strip on Sunday afternoon. The racers and fans really enjoyed the change of scenery and new course. Vlad Navasca took first in the Stock Class, with Terrence Walker finishing in the top spot in the Street Touring Class. The big news was that Anthony Crisostomo was finally able to defeat Adrian Banu in the Street Modified Class. Triple J beat Nissan in the Auto X Dealership Challenge.

The Guam Racing Federation would like to thank all the sponsors, media, volunteers, and race fans for their support, without which, Smokin’ Wheels wouldn’t have been possible. (PR)