Asian m’cross championship resumes today

MANILA, Philippines - The FIM Asia Motocross Championships resumes today and tomorrow with Rounds 3 and 4 with a crack international field clashing for title at the Speedworld NAMSSA Circuit at SM Bicutan Mall.

Riders from Thailand, USA, Japan, Guam, Sri Lanka, Iran Mongolia and Australia gear up for a battle royale with the country’s aces, headed by NAMSSA Rider of the Year Kenneth San Andres.

Round 3 is set this afternoon with the final round slated tomorrow from from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For details, log on to www.namssa.com.

The FIM tour had stops in Puerto Princessa City and Kuala Terranganu, Malaysia earlier this year.

Recently, the FIM Asia continent, composed of 26 Asian nations, headed by the Philippines’ Macky Carapiet, noted the growth of the sport in the region.

“This is proven in the fact that we have been hosting more FIM World Motocross events,” said Carapiet. “We are also preparing for the Qatar and Thailand World MX rounds, to be held in March 2014, with our best riders from Asia participating.”

Thai Jugkrit Sukrispaisan, 17, leads the premier MX2 Class with 92 points, followed by Tomoya Suzuki of Japan with 86 points and San Andres with 72 points.

In the Asian Junior MX85, 2013 FIM Asian Junior champion Mark Flores heads the field with 91 points, followed by Gabriel Macaso (83 points) and a Sri Lankan rider (80 points).

For the MX Veterans class, 2012 Asian vet champion Dr. Stan Yasuhiro from Guam is the leader with 84 points, followed by Filipino rider Jun San Andres (76 points) and Reijin Leongson at (50 points).

Series champions, meanwhile, will be feted in the annual FIM Asia Gala Awards ceremonies, slated on Dec. 22 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The emergence of Filipino talents in Asia and the world are a product of the NAMSSA National Sports Development program, which will also hold the penultimate stage of the national series.

The event is sanctioned by FIM, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippines Sports Comission and supported by Foilacar, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Repsol, Otto Shoes, Brillo, Dana Trading, GCG, Monark, Repso and, Twinkie.