Thai, Japanese riders clash in Asian moto showdown

MANILA, Philippines - Thai Arnon Theplib and Japan’s Tomoya Suzuki, the frontrunners of the centerpiece Asian 125 category of the FIM Asia Motocross/Supercross Championship, brace for a title showdown this weekend at resumption of Asia’s premier motocross event at the Speedworld MX Circuit in SM Bicutan, Parañaque.

The event hosted by the Namssa has been dubbed the Jack Enrile Namssa Asian Supercross Championship in a tribute to the Cagayan Rep., a sportsman and motorcycle sport enthusiast, for his invaluable support and contributions to the development and promotion of motorcycle sports in the  country. 

On tap are two rounds of the Asian Motocross/Supercross Championship. Riders from the three Asian classes (Asian 125, Asian Junior 85 and Asian Veterans) will run two motos for Round 3 tomorrow and the two motos for the Round 4 on Sunday. Moto 1 of the national classes (Round 8 of the Namssa’s National Motocross Development Program) will be held  tomorrow and Moto 2 on Sunday.If rains continue today, the practice and qualifying sessions will instead be set tomorrow to keep the racetrack safe and fit for the motos.

Namssa president Macky Carapiet cited Puerto Princesa City’s Mayor Edward Hagedorn, the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee for their continuing support for Namssa’s grassroots development programs for motorcycle sports. over the years. The NAMSSA will be hosting the Mayor Edward Hagedorn Cup on November 18 in the races marking the 9th and final leg of the 2012 NAMSSA National Motocross Development Program.   

Theplib, with the able support of his wingman Jugkrit Suksripaisan, finished first in all motos of the opening rounds held in Puerto Princesa City and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Things will be different this time around, as the hard-riding Suzuki will be backed–up by compatriot Hiroshi Kawamura to defuse the two-pronged charge of the Thai tandem which he had to contend with on his own during the opening legs.

Aside from the Thais and the Japanese, riders and race officials from Sri Lanka, Guam, Mongolia, China, Russia, Singapore, Australia and the Philippines are expected at the venue beginning Friday for the practice and qualifying sessions.

Reigning Philippine National Motocross Rider of the Year Kenneth San Andres and veteran Jovie Saulog will be carrying the torch for the Philippines in the Asian 125 class. San Andres and Saulog are both looking forward to trouble-free runs to finally land a spot on the winners’ podium.

Defending Asian 85cc champion Mark Reggie Flores of San Pablo City, along with Gabriel Macaso from Cabanatuan, Radzie Kallahal from Tuburan, Basilan, Christian Ramento from Marikina, Jean Earl Jean Brylle Ornopia from Cebu and   lady rider Jade Nabua from Bataan are expected to meet stiff competition from Mongolia’s Khishigmunk Munkhbolor and Sri Lanka’s Jacque Gunawardena in the Asian Junior 85 category.

Guam’s Stanley Yasuhiro will have his hands full taking on Philippine veterans Roman Llorente, Raymond Espinosa, Junjun San Andres and Gimo Gonzales in the Asian Veterans category.

For more information on the Jack Enrile NAMSSA Asian Supercross Championship and other NAMSSA organized/sanctioned events and activities, visit www.namssa.com or the NAMSSA Secretariat Facebook page.