What’s Glen Aguilar secret to his longevity at the race track?
Maybe his irrepressible passion? The will to win? His love for the game?
Even Aguilar, at 42, is perplexed by his dominant ability at the racetrack as he proved once more that he remains a force to reckon with in Philippine motocross.
“Kahit nga ako nagtataka rin sa sarili ko, pero siguro dahil na rin nga hinahanap ko pa rin ang laro,” said the many-time national champion and international campaigner Aguilar.
Again, he showed the young guns what he’s capable of as he turned back rising star Bornok Mangosong of Davao in the recent second leg of the of Diamond Motor Supercross series at the MX Messiah Fairgrounds in Taytay, Rizal.
Lacking in sleep notwithstanding, Aguilar did not lose composure in the face of a blistering start by Mangosong, who took the early lead right at the first turn.
But Aguilar of KTM Racing, banked on his rich experience and wrested the lead after the third of the 25-lap Pro Open class and slowly pulled away for good before a highly-cheering crowd.
Aguilar currently leads the standings after two legs.
“I’m very happy,” said Aguilar, who won the overall title the 2016 edition of the series featuring the country’s top riders.
Showing that his legs can stand the rigors of an exhausting race held amid energy-sapping heat, Aguilar masterfully thwarted Mangosong all-out bid to overhaul the lead.
“I need to improve my stamina,” said Mangosong, who also placed second in the first of the five-leg series organized by Xtreme Adrenaline Sports headed by Sam Tamayo of the Generation Congregation.
“Andoon na ako sa point na either I try na humabol and face the danger of crashing or maintain ko na lang ang safe pace and settle for second place.”
In the DC Shoes Ladies Class, Nueva Ecija’s pride Pia Gabriel, as expected, dominated without much resistance.
Gabriel needed to borrow the bike of his older brother Ompong but hardly encountered serious resistance from Quiana Reyes of Sta. Maria Bulacan and Shana Tamayo.
Like Aguilar, the 19-year-old Mass Communications student from Wesleyan University in Cabanatuan City, won his second straight leg.
The series is supported by Dunlop Tires, Dickies, Tireshakk, Yamaha Motor Philippines, Go Pro Philippines, PTT Philippines Corporation, DC Shoes Philippines, Coffee Grounds and Xtreme Adrenaline Sports Entertainment Co.
The overall champion in the Pro Open will receive P50,000 with the second placer receiving P20,000. The third placer will get P10,000. The Overall winner in the amateur class will take home P5,000.
As the roar of the machines filled the air, fans were also treated to the Diamond Autotune Battleo of the Bands. Top bands headlined by Jon Blaylock’s Firefalldown provided the adrenaline surge for the fans.
Sam Tamayo of the organizing Xtreme Adrenaline Sports expected the opposition to provide stiff competition against the leaders.
“The leaders maintained their positions in leg 2 but the excitement was there as the fans really poured out to enjoy the roaring and flying machines,” said Tamayo, who is a Pastor of the Church of Nazarene in Taytay.
Aside from the Open class, there were also actions for young and old alike.
There were categories for kids, opne underbone, open local endure, amateur open, Yamaha One Make Race, executive and the veterans division where Jing Leongson, Jonjon Antonio, Rowell Casellano and RJ Del Leon competed.
Three more legs to go and the eventual champion will receive a grand prize of P20,000.00 will, P14,000.00 to the second placer and P10,000.00 to the third placer.