Billie tops Mini II, Maribel wins first-ever Mama’s Class

Pangelinan

Billie Inabo Pangelinan had to content herself winning another division, while Maribel Igitol was a pioneer by topping a new class in last Sunday’s 2023 Monster Energy Point Series Race at the Cowtown Race Track.

A last-minute scrap of her favorite Power Puff Girls Class forced the 13-year-old Pangelinan to shift her focus in the Mini II Class.

Good thing she approached the division as she would the all-girls category and came away the winner with a perfect 50 points.

“It feels great to have a good start to the season. I would like to dedicate the win to my family and my team. What I think was working for me was the comfort and support I got from my family and friends which gave me so much adrenaline. It’s also been awhile since the season ended and I missed the feeling of having races,” said Pangelinan, who again rode her trusty Honda CRF150R in the twin heats.

Igitol

On having no Power Puff Girls Class for the January race, she said it actually would’ve been nice to compete in two divisions at the start of the year. 

“Having a Power Puff Girls Class was fun. The class is open to all girls which made it a nice class to watch. Because girls racing isn’t something you’ll always see. I just wish I was able to race both classes, to test my stamina and to have fun,” said the Dandan Middle School student. 

Pangelinan also thanked Marianas Pacific specifically Pokka, YCO True Value, Inas Kitchen, and Saltys for sponsoring her stint in the 2023 season Marianas Racing Association competition. 
Pangelinan’s rival in the Power Puff Girls Class, Nanako Celis, came in second in the Mini II with 44 points, while T.J. Ferrer was third with 40 points. 

Igitol, for her part, dominated the debuting Mama’s Class aboard her 2022 YZ125cc with 50 points and made history becoming the first monthly winner of the division. MRA introduced the Mama Class in last year’s Turkey Cross.

“I feel very blessed and lucky to have won the Mama’s Class competing with the other awesome mama riders. Getting some practice made me more comfortable with the track. When riding, I just focus on what’s in front of me and try my best,” said the 37-year-old kindergarten teacher at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School.

She dedicated her victory to her daughter, Anella, also a rider in the Mini ATV Class, son B.J., and her other half, Byron Castro, who rides in the Intermediate Class and coaches them under the Naughty Native Racing Team.

Igitol started her foray into motocross by trail riding first until the Kan Pacific track opened up. She was only a spectator watching her husband then was eventually encouraged to race with the Mini II Class. After her first race, Cowtown opened up and she just kept racing from there on. 

“Never in my life have I ever thought I’d be racing dirt bikes. But after the first race, I just got hooked. It also became a family sport.”
Mari Alvarez came second in the Mama’s Class with 44 points, followed by Merissa Rasa’s 40 points.

The results of the rest of the classes in the January edition of the 2023 Monster Energy Point Series Race will be published in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.