CEZA track hosts national motocross
A world-class Cagayan Economic Zone Authority track that meets Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) international and Asia standards hosts the 2nd round of this year’s Philippine championship series of the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA), the sporting authority for motorcycle sports in the Philippines.
Also dubbed as the 2018 CEZA-Eastern Hawaii National Motocross Championship, the motocross extravaganza set April 14 and 15 and held under the auspices of the National Motorcycle Sports Safety Association (NAMSSA) is one of the many firsts introduced to promote CEZA as an investment hub, a tourism destination and a motorsports venue in Northern Luzon.
“The circuit is 95% complete and meets FIM international safety standards. It will be fully operational in a few days, made out of sandy loam which is weatherproof and the deep sand will be good rider training for race bike control like in Europe, the first of its kind in the Philippines” said NAMSSA president Stephan Macky Carapiet, who was also recently elected as president of the FIM Asia.
The Sta. Ana track, courtesy of Mayor Darwin Tobias, was designed and built under the supervision of NAMSSA, in accordance with the technical and safety standards of the FIM, the world governing body for motorcycle sports, of which the NAMSSA is the sole Philippine member. NAMSSA is also affiliated with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
Tobias said the Municipality of Sta. Ana is providing all the necessary support to ensure the success of the event, adding that his townmates as well as the entire province of Cagayan are excited to watch the world-class race.
The first-ever motocross championship to be staged here has lured elite riders from regional affiliates of NAMSSA Clubs such as Manila, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Laguna, Taytay, Laoag, Vigan, Isabela, Baguio, Montalban, Tugegarao and others with cast of national and Asian campaigners, headed by Motocross Rider of the Year Kenneth San Andres and up-and-coming Moy-Moy Flores and Gabriel “Bilog” Macaso, to name a few.
“Everything is set. The riders are all excited. Everyone’s raring to give motocross fans of Cagayan a motocross competition to remember,” said Carapiet.
Trophies and cash prizes are up for grab for the 14 national categories and two local races, which are exclusive for Cagayan riders and athletes. Saturday is for official practice sessions, while Sunday is race day.
Secretary Raul L. Lambino, Administrator and CEO of the Zone said he is expecting riders and race enthusiasts from Northern Luzon and motocross enthusiasts in the country to flock to Sta. Ana for the two-day event.
Carapiet thanked Sec. Lambino, Mayor Tobias and Eastern Hawaii for bringing motocross racing to Sta. Ana on a scale never before seen by locals. “We would wish to inform racers that official practice is on Saturday and race day is on SUnday and that NAMSSA racing licenses shall be issued on site.”
“We are proud to have this sport closely associated with CEZA,” he said.
