NURTURING young talents is one of the goals of the MS Motosuit 21st Calambua Motocross Cup when it unfolds on April 14 at the Calambua circuit in San Remigio, northern Cebu.
Now on its 21st year, organizer Lou Ornopia has seen various riders who started as participants in the MS Motosuit before eventually becoming a force to be reckoned with in the national scene.
“It’s a good thing to start them young and we see them improve along the way. It’s for the future of the kids in this sport,” Ornopia said during the Scoop-Cebu Forum at the Cebu City Sports Center on Thursday, April 11. “We have reached 21 years because of our passion in motor sports.”
The event is expected to draw around 100 to 150 participants from various parts of the country. The titles to be contested are the pro open, expert, peewee 50 cc and 65cc and mini 85cc, beginners, local enduro, open enduro, executive A, B and C, novice and intermediate.
Ornopia said among the notable names who once graced the event are John Flores, who was part of the UA Mindanao-Motocross Performers in the Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5 and elite riders Jon-Jon Adlawan, Venil Abellar and BJ Pepito.
This year, among the youngest participants are siblings Jeanette Olanda, 10, and Warren Charles Olanda, 7. The parents of the siblings are both into motor sports.
“It’s like a family bonding for us. Before the race of my kids, I will brief them. We always have a game plan. Every Sunday we go to the race track also to practice,” said their father, Warren Wright Olanda.
Ornopia said he is proud to say all riders not just in Cebu but also in Visayas will come to the event.
“It becomes a reunion for us riders. I’m proud to say that we have one of the best race tracks,” said Ornopia, adding that riders from Dipolog, Ormoc, Sagay, Dumaguete and Bohol will be coming over to challenge Cebu’s bets.
After Calambua, action shifts to the neighboring town of Medellin for the Mayor Joven Mondigo Motocross Invitational on April 28. (RSC)