2008 MS MOTOSUIT MOTOCROSS SERIES: Seigfred Ornopia bags ROY award

CEBU - The best and brightest stars on the racetrack during the highly-successful 3rd MS Motosuit Motocross Series will formally be feted for their outstanding achievements in a grand awarding ceremony that will promptly start at 7 pm today at the grand ballroom of Holiday Plaza Hotel.

Aside from the top riders who have shown exemplary performances in their respective categories in the 14-leg series - by far the longest in the three year history of the annual race, the different benefactors both from the private and government sectors will also be honored for their unflinching support that contributed to another prosperous year for the MS Motosuit family.

Among the noted personalities that will be commended with plaques of recognition include Brgy. Captain Manuel Wagas (Jubay, Liloan), Mayor German P. Sarana (Bayawan City, Negros Oriental), Brgy. Capt. Gumersendo Jubay, Jr. (Calambua, San Remigio), Redan Juarez (Sagbayan, Bohol), Mayor Erwin Agustino (Ayungon, NegOr), Mayor Mariano Martinez (San Remigio), Mayor Yvonne Cabaron (Moalboal), Atty. Flint Concha (Dipolog City), Vice Mayor Chonse Moreno (Aloguinsan), Macoy Larrazabal (Ormoc City), Archt. Elmer Talan (Baclayon, Bohol), Mayor Avelino Gungob, Sr. (Consolacion), Siegfred Ornopia of Keiz BJ Motorsales (Ilihan, Tabogon), and Rudy Nadela (Liboron, Carcar).

“Giving these awards to our sponsors is our simple way to letting them know how appreciative we are for their wholesome support,” said MS Motosuit top honcho Lou Ornopia.

“I’m very happy that this year, no major injuries and untoward incident happened to our riders. Also, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our leg hosts and sponsors for their continued trust and confidence to our race series,” added last year’s “Sportsman of the Year” awardee by the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC).

Likewise, Ornopia extended his special thanks to several event backers namely Reliance Motorparts, Andy Uy, RMO Motorparts, F&FO Motorparts, Cebu Progress Marketing, Castrol Philippines, Cevetco, Imarflex, Engr. Joy Flores, Malou Pepito, RUSI, Keiz BJ Motorsales, and Mayor Erwin Agustino of Ayungon, Negros Oriental.

The highlight of tonight’s affair is the coronation of the “Rider of the Year”, which will be bestowed upon the 36-year-old Seigfred Ornopia.

 Ornopia, owner of Keiz BJ Team, was too hot to handle for his rivals to dominate the executive A division in convincing fashion with 395 points. His teammate Gener Sicad lorded it over in the executive B class with 286 points.

This year, Siegfred hauled nine championship trophies in the executive A and six titles in the executive B, making him the hands-down recipient of the coveted ROY laurels.

Seigfred is one of the former top local riders who stopped racing for quite a while only to return and regain his competitive form when his brother Lou put up a series of competitions here.

Before the 2008 edition of the dirtbike action, the organizers were thinking of giving the ROY crown not only to the top expert racer, but to the rider with the highest total points earned in the series so everyone gets a fair chance.

After 14 legs, Seigfred’s name surfaced as the rider with the most points scored through the executive A class, enough for him to snatch the ROY plum.

However, being the brother of the race organizer, Seigfred’s ROY title had to be put on hold. But after thorough deliberations, Seigfred will reap the prestigious accolade due to them.

Also to be cited are the overall champion in the different categories.

They are Boni Bustillo in the local enduro with 351 points and novice enduro with 321 points, MS Motosuit image model John Flores in the beginners open production with 286 points, Clark Wagas of Quickflight Racing in the novice production with 280 points, Rex Barbaso of Nonoy Reluya Team in the intermediate class with 225 points, and Irwin Uypitching of Dumaguete’s RUSI Rusco Team in the experts division with 262 points. – with Caecent No-ot Magsumbol   (THE FREEMAN)