FIM Asian m'cross offers GPrix berth

MANILA, Philippines - The FIM Asian Motocross Championship fires off this weekend in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan with no less than a ticket to the Grand Prix of Great Britain at stake in the centerpiece Asian MX2 category.

FIM Asia and NAMSSA president Macky Carapiet said the winner in the Asian MX2 will represent Asia in the 2012 Britain GP set in August in Matterly Basin, Winchester, United Kingdom.

“We are happy to announce that Youthstream, the promoter of the FIM world motocross championship, has agreed to accept a top Asian rider as a wild card entry in the British Motocross GP. The rare chance to race against the world’s best is expected to raise the level of competition in the premier MX2 class,” said Carapiet.

Round 1 of the FIM Asian Motocross Championship will be held at the Sta. Monica Motocross Speedway with riders and officials from over 12 Asian nations expected to show up.

The event marks the start of the annual continental series which features the MX2, the Junior 85 and the Veterans categories.

Local riders will also have their chance to display their skills in the third leg of the 2012 NAMSSA National Motocross Development Program.

The event is organized by NAMSSA and hosted by Mayor Edward Hagedorn and his constituents from the City of Puerto Princesa. Other backers of the event are Asia Brewery, Shakeys, Polisport, Kia Palawan, Repsol, the Department of Tourism and recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.  

Defending Asian MX2 champion Arnon Theplib from Thailand has confirmed his participation along with contenders Tomoya Suzuki from Japan, Khaliunbold Erdenebileg from Mongolia, Valenzuela City’s pride and four-time National Motocross Rider of the Year Kenneth San Andres and multi-titled veteran Jovie Saulog.

Others seeing action are San Pablo City Laguna’s Mark Reggie Flores, seeking a repeat in the Asian Junior 85 division, Gabriel Symon Macaso, Ralph and Christian Ramento, Iran’s Amir Khodabandeloo and Khishigmungk Munkhbolor of Mongolia.

Vying in the Veterans class are Junjun San Andres, Gimo Gonzales, Ran Ramento and Frank Derek Cu, Guam’s Stan Yasuhiro and Singapore’s Wing Kit Kwok.  

For details, log-on to www.namssa-live.com and www.asiamx.org.