LEGENDS RETURN TO TRACK FOR ROUND 2

PRESS RELEASE – The engines thundered, the crowd roared, and clouds of dust rose over the track as  riders took their positions at the gate for Round 2 of the Guam Monster Energy  Championship, held under a blazing sun in Yona. With competitors from all over the  island, the race delivered non-stop action, intense rivalries, and thrilling displays of  speed and skill that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. 

Adding a historic layer to the weekend’s competition was the long-awaited return of the Legends Class, held for the first time in over three years. This special division is open to riders aged 55 and above, honoring those whose passion for motocross has stood the  test of time. This past weekend, three seasoned veterans – Frank ‘The Prank’ Rios, Stan Yasuhiro, and Al Kilgore – lined up to compete head-to-head, reigniting rivalries and setting an  inspiring example for the next generation of riders. 

Frank Rios: Still Charging After 55 Years 

Frank Rios, who has been racing for an incredible 55 years, dominated the Legends  Class on Sunday, taking first place. Not content with just one class, he also competed  in the Open Expert division, where he secured an impressive sixth-place finish. 

Rios began racing in 1975 at the Cross Island Road flagpole track. In true racer fashion,  he signed himself up for his first competition without his parents’ knowledge. He  expanded into street bike racing in 1980, a discipline he pursued into the late ’90s. In 1998, he returned to dirt bikes with the purchase of a Yamaha YZ250 and began racing once again at “The Barn” at Leo Palace. 

Rios has competed internationally in the Philippines, China, Malaysia, and Hawaii. His legacy continues through his son, Franki, who has followed in his father’s footsteps and now races competitively as well. 

Stan Yasuhiro: A Lifetime of Racing and Leadership 

Stan Yasuhiro began riding in the early 1970s on Guam, cutting his teeth at the Cross Island Road track. After moving to the mainland for college in 1975, he raced in AMA and 

CMC events throughout Northern California. Upon returning from dental school in 1983, he resumed racing locally, including both the Cross Island Road motocross track and  the Calvo’s flat track. 

Yasuhiro has been a pillar of the Guam motocross community. He served as Vice President of the Guam Motorcycle and ATV Corporation (GMAC) and was instrumental  in pushing the island’s presence on the international motocross stage. In 2002, he traveled to Geneva, Switzerland with Stephan Carapiet—President of the Philippines  Federation (NAMSSA)—to apply for GMAC’s membership into the FIM (Fédération  Internationale de Motocyclisme). 

His international involvement continued to grow. In 2018, Yasuhiro was appointed Vice President of the FIM Asia Board of Directors, and later that year, he was elected FIM Deputy President. Thanks in large part to his efforts, Guam was able to participate in the prestigious Motocross of Nations in 2018, 2022, and 2023. 

A seasoned competitor, Yasuhiro holds two FIM Asia Veteran Class championships (2012 and 2013) and has raced in countries including Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia, Saipan, and the United States. With 53 years of racing behind him, Yasuhiro finished second in the Legends Class this past weekend. 

Al Kilgore: Consistency and Experience 

Al Kilgore’s racing journey began in 1976 in the mini bike class. By 1978, he was competing in the expert class on a 125cc, and in 1981, he moved up to the 250cc class, where he remained a consistent top three finisher on island for 16 seasons. 

Kilgore has also raced internationally in several locations and earned a notable win in  2000, claiming first place in the Vet Class at the Smokin’ Wheels race at the Yigo track. This past weekend, he placed third in the Legends Class, adding yet another milestone to his enduring motocross career. 

Kim Aiken: A Racer Worth Remembering 

Although not on the starting line this weekend, Kim Aiken remains an important figure in Guam and Saipan’s motocross history. Aiken began racing in the villages of Saipan on a modified Suzuki T.S. 250cc, later upgrading to a factory Suzuki TM 250cc in 1974. 

In 1977, Ray Alvarez—father of current Marianas Racing Association President Cuki  Alvarez—sponsored Aiken to race for Saipan Suzuki. Aiken competed at the Capitol Hill track, affectionately known as “The People’s Park,” where he raced against elite U.S. riders such as Yamaha’s Rick Brigett, Honda’s Marty Tripes, Suzuki’s Jeff Jennings, and local talent like Joey Crisostomo and Henry Simpson of Island Suzuki.

After moving to Guam, Aiken continued racing with Frank Rios at Leo Palace and has remained active in the motocross community. His legacy is also being carried on by his son, Blaze Aiken, who now races in the 250cc and Open Expert classes. 

A Legacy Still in Motion 

Together, Yasuhiro, Rios, Kilgore, and Aiken represent the enduring spirit of Guam’s  motocross community. These legends have spent decades shaping the local racing scene—mentoring younger riders, advocating for international recognition, and keeping the sport alive and growing on island. 

Seeing them back on the track this past weekend wasn’t just a nostalgic moment—it  was a celebration of everything motocross means to Guam. And while the Legends Class showcased over 50 years of combined experience, there are many other classes open for riders of all ages and skill levels at the Yona Raceway. 

The passion is alive, the throttle is open, and the legacy continues. The other racing results are as follows.  

65cc 

1st: Jreythan Pano #11 

2nd: Jenna Wenden #31 

3rd: Tristan Haines #X 

85cc 

1st: Julian Lane #141 

2nd: Leo Limtiaco #33  

3rd: Maddox Monnin #228 

School Boy 

1st: Jonathan Aguon #8 

2nd: Mariana Wenden #3  

Novice 

1st: Jonathan Aguon #8 

2nd: Michael Obido #27 

3rd: Terrance Gabutin #88

250cc 

1st: Tim Wenden #3 

2nd: Richard Wenden #31

3rd: Blaze Aiken #85 

450cc 

1st: JR Cepeda #7 

2nd: John Aguon #18

3rd: Tunner Sommers #103

Open Expert 

1st: JR Cepeda #7 

2nd: Tim Wenden #3 

3rd: Richard Wenden #31

Vet 

1st: Tim Wenden #3  

2nd: Justin Chinana #505 

3rd: Gregorio Perez #77

Legends 

1st: Frank Rios #51 

2nd: Stan Yashuhiro #2

3rd: Alan Kilgore #30 

Mini ATV 

1st: Emmalynn Byrne #14

2nd: Hunter Haines

#X Expert ATV 

1st: Robert Bucek #2

2nd: Camillo Lorenzo #X 

3rd: John Gilman #11

Vet ATV

1st: Robert Bucek #2

2nd: John Gilman #11