Previous Story
‘Beng’ buttons up Mini II Class
|
Posted on Sep 19 2022
Mini II Class champion Vicente “Beng” Palacios shares the podium with runner-up T.J. Ferrer, left, and third place Leighton Palacios during Marianas Racing Association’s 2022 Monster Energy Point Series awards banquet held last Sept. 10 at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan. (MARK RABAGO)
Vicente “Beng” Palacios was inspired to take up motocross after seeing his cousin Michael Camacho race in 2020.
A couple of years later, the 13-year-old student from Dandan Middle School has followed in Camacho’s footsteps in winning Marianas Racing Association’s Mini II Class of the 2022 Monster Energy Point Series.
Aboard his trusty Honda crf150, Palacios smoked the competition with an overall points race total of 318 points. He was followed by vastly improved T.J. Ferrer with his 251 points, while Leighton Palacios completed the Top 3 in the division with 240 points.
“I was happy to win the Mini II class I and I kept on pushing myself to do my best and my family always motivate me to do what I can do and if you go down get back up and learn for that mistake that I made,” said Vicente Palacios who was awarded the Mini II Class’ No. 1 plate during the MRA 2022 awards banquet held last Sept. 10 at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan.
He admits though that when he first started, he didn’t really take motocross all that seriously.
“Back then it was just for fun and I didn’t take it seriously but now it’s like in my blood. What attracted me to the sport is you get to be with great people and make new friends,” he said.
Palacios dedicated his successful 2022 season to his team, Trench Tech Racing Team, and his family.
“I want to thank my team and my sponsors Eleanor Cepeda and Melvin Cepeda and my coach Cuki Alvarez.”
He’s also looking forward to defending his Mini II Class championship in 2023.
“I intend to defend my championship next year by practicing and keeping pushing myself to do my best.”
For the short term, Palacios is revving up for MRA’s long-awaited matchup against Guam riders this coming November.
“I just need to practice more for the November race when Guam vs. Saipan finally comes together and races to see who’s better so all the fans come down and watch us,” he said.
Winners of the other classes of the 2022 Monster Energy Point Series will be published in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.
