Top riders vie in Asian motocross

MANILA, Philippines - The region’s best riders will pit guts and skills when the FIM Asian Motocross Championship unfolds on Dec. 13 and 14 at the Speedworld Circuit in SM Bicutan.

Top motocross daredevils from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, the United States and the Philippines will be battling for the coveted classes in the Asian MX2, Asian MX85 Junior and the MX Veterans.

Ben Sukrispaisan (94 points) and Arnon Theplib (89 points), who are both riding for the AP Honda Factory Team of Thailand in the MX2 class, will be the riders to beat in the two-day motocross extravaganza organized by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA).

The Thais will be trying to quash the challenge of the third-running Sean Lipanovich (85 points) from the United States and Erdebileg Khalionubold (72 points) of Mongolia.

Also joining the fray in the event backed by SM Bicutan, Honda, Yamaha, FoilACar, Repsol, GCG Pipes, OAS, JBS, Otto Shoes, Dana Trading, Shaders Alum, Shakey’s, Asia Brewery Inc., the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, are Fahrodji (64 points) from Indonesia and Kenneth San Andres (56 points) from the Philippines.

In the MX85 class, the protagonists are M. Khasim (97 points) and Z. Khasim (91 points), both from Malaysia, and Mike Tipolo (80 points) from the Philippines.

The MX Veterans’ division is led by J. Adbdulah (92 points) from Malaysia, K. Kit (76 points) from Singapore, S. Yasuhiro (74 points) from Guam; K. Ayob (72 points) from Malaysia and M. San Andres (72 points) from the Philippines.

For more information, check out NAMSSA’s Facebook account or call 0917- 8479785.

The NAMSSA, established in 1994, is celebrating its 20th year.

For two decades, the NAMSSA, through its national championships for the different motorcycle sports disciplines, has been successful in delivering its mandate of tapping and developing motorcycle athletes from the grassroots.

The NAMSSA, through its affiliation with the Federation International de Motocyclisme, the world governing body for motorcycle sports, is also instrumental in providing its athletes with the proper safety and technical facilities attuned to the FIM’s standards.

NAMSSA’s National Motocross Development Program is recognized by the PSC and the POC.