‘Champi’ is champ anew in Veterans Class

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Posted on Jun 03 2022
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Lenard “Champi” Villacanas in action during the 2022 Monster Energy Point Series Race last Sunday at the Cowtown Race Track. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Lenard “Champi” Villacanas again ruled the Veterans Class in the 2022 Monster Energy Point Series Race last Sunday at the Cowtown Race Track.

Aboard his trusty 2022 Yamaha yzf450, Villacanas won both heats to finish with a perfect 50 points. Dave Cepeda finished second in both races for 44 points, while Melvin Cepeda rounded out third place with 40 points.

“Every race I usually just enjoy it. So whenever I luckily got a place I dedicate it to my wife and kids who’ve been with me every race,” he said.

It’s the second time the 41-year-old heavy equipment operator at Construction Materials Supply won the division after also triumphing in the April edition, which made his win in the May competition of the Marianas Racing Association his second in a row.

Villacanas remained modest even after the back-to-back wins and attributed his good fortune the last two months to luck and his dedication to practice.

“I take some time to practice. Usually I practice on Saturdays or weekdays after work.”

Villacanas also thanked MRA and its leadership for their maintenance of the Cowtown Race Track.
“The track is very good right now. Most especially on the fifth round because our president, Mr. Charles, wet the tracks prior to big boys ATV race, veterans, and expert category. They did it to control the dust. So somehow it helped the riders to see clearly.”

Asked why MRA folks call him Champi, Villacanas said it had something to do with a typhoon way back in 2015.

“My wife gave birth to our boy when Typhoon Champi hit us in 2015. So I named my Facebook account Champi. So, usually they call me Champi because of my FB account,” he said.

In the Novice Class, Joseph Santos topped all comers with 50 points, followed by Ethan Yumul’s 44 points, and Aric Cruz’s 40 points.

Dave Celis, meanwhile, took pole position in the Expert Open Class after coming up with 47 points. Ellery Cruz came second with 45 points, while Villacanas wound up third with 38 points.

Mark Rabago | Associate Editor
Mark Rabago is the Associate Editor of Saipan Tribune. Contact him at Mark_Rabago@saipantribune.com
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