Campeonato Nacional de CuadraCross, San Jose, Costa Rica 2003

In an effort to keep our readers globally informed, ATV Scene has tapped our Costa Rican correspondent, Oscar Soto for an update on the Central American ATV racing scene. Here’s what he had to say…

sotooscarhdsht5-23-03(Costa Rican National Championship)
Round 1: May 11, 2003
San Jose, Costa Rica
By: Oscar Soto

Alberto Soto in his way to the checkers of the 4 stroke class

Alberto Soto in his way to the checkers of the 4 stroke class

The start of this year’s Costa Rican National Championship season was very exciting, given the increase in the levels of machine performance and rider’s skills. The event was held at the La Laguna racetrack in Acosta, in what appeared to be a picture perfect day. It was very well organized and a great success! There were a total of 55 riders, divided into 7 different classes. The picture perfect weather did not last long. Around 2pm a torrential rain fell. Most of the second motos were held in the rain. The conditions changed quickly and the track wore down just as fast. Soon after the quads raced in rivers of water. Given the conditions, the riding technique of all the riders had to change from strength and speed to finesse and concentration in order to avoid spinning out and getting stuck.

Alejandro Munoz was flying aboard his new '03 Blaster after stepping up from the 80cc class!

Alejandro Munoz was flying aboard his new ’03 Blaster after stepping up from the 80cc class!

Oscar Soto aboard his new last minute ride for '03 made a good comeback after a year off the tracks due to a severe foot injury.

Oscar Soto aboard his new last minute ride for ’03 made a good comeback after a year off the tracks due to a severe foot injury.

Open Elite Moto One
As the gate dropped, the fastest class of the day was lead by Rodolfo Zeledon (Team Zebol) in his new LSR CRF450 followed by Juan Diego Suarez (Team CuadraXtreme-Houser CRF450), Leopoldo Diez (Team Castrol- PRP 250R) and Jean Paul Blotta (Team Pennzoil-Honda 250R). Close behind came, Silvio Segnini (Team Castrol-LSR250R) and Randall Luna Jr. (Honda 250R) who held an intense battle for the 4th and 5th position. Later Diez and Blotta would make the pass for 2nd and 3rd in the uphill double and Zeledon would pull some distance between him and the rest of the pack. About midrace Blotta and Luna had ignition and carburetion problems respectively and had to abandon. At the checkers it was Zeledon ahead of Diez and Segnini.

Open Elite Moto Two
On a mud filled track, the second moto started with a first turn pile-up that claimed both Suarez and Blotta. Diez grabbed first place and never looked back with Segnini in second. In the meantime Zeledon was recovering from a dead last start climbing positions while making a big charge to the front. He started putting pressure on Diez for first place, but couldn¹t make the pass. Suarez’ bad luck continued when he had to abandon the race due to carb problems. In the end, it was Diez with Zeledon hot on his heels, Segnini, Luna and Blotta rounding out the pack.

This year's Open Elite class was full of high caliber machines!

This year’s Open Elite class was full of high caliber machines!

As a spectator and racer I noticed how our sport is growing rapidly and becoming more popular here in Costa Rica. In the youth classes there were some intense battles between the newcomers and the more seasoned riders. In the upper classes the action was even more exciting, due to the increased level of skills that most of the riders displayed.

Open Elite
Overall Number Brand Name
1 10 PRP 250R Leopoldo Diez
2 1 LSR CRF450 Rodolfo Zeledón
3 95 LSR 250R Silvio Segnini
4 3 Honda 250R Randall Luna Jr.
5 36 Honda 250R Jean Paul Blotta
6 71 Houser CRF450 Juan Diego Suárez

Open B
Overall Number Brand Name
1 7 Yam.Banshee José Rodríguez
2 65 Yam.Banshee Marcos Soto
3 28 Yam.Banshee José Angel Rojas
4 3 Honda 250R Randall Luna
5 22 Yam.Banshee Ricardo Hernández

4 Stroke
Overall Number Brand Name
1 5 Honda 400EX Alberto Soto
2 9 Honda 400EX Alejandro Karpinsky
3 8 Suzuki Z400 Oscar Soto
4 55 Suzuki Z400 Felipe Henriquez
5 101 LSR 400EX Juan Gmo. Zeledon

200 cc A
Overall Number Brand Name
1 21 Yam. Blaster Marco Picado
2 24 Yam. Blaster Felipe Volio
3 25 Yam. Blaster Pablo Mora
4 73 Yam. Blaster Diego Castillo
5 71 Yam. Blaster Jorge Guerra
6 17 Yam. Blaster Pedro Quirós
7 81 Yam. Blaster Allan Trigueros
8 4 Yam. Blaster Adrian Canet

200 cc B
Overall Number Brand Name
1 7 Yam. Blaster Alejandro Muñoz
2 44 Yam. Blaster José Pablo Castillo
3 15 Yam. Blaster Diego Avendaño
4 11 Yam. Blaster Marvin Murillo
5 Yam. Blaster Nicolás Vásquez

80cc
Overall Number Brand Name
1 4 Suzuki LT80 María José Avila
2 10 Suzuki LT80 Ricardo Lizano
3 80 Suzuki LT80 Armando Aguilar
4 91 Suzuki LT80 Jefferson Chacón
5 21 Suzuki LT80 Daniel Picado
6 2 Suzuki LT80 Kevin Ramírez
7 29 Suzuki LT80 Jorge Milanés
8 80 Suzuki LT80 José Alfredo Murillo
9 6 Suzuki LT80 Sebastián Macaya
10 22 Suzuki LT80 María Macaya
11 8 Suzuki LT80 Tatiana Sánchez

50cc
Overall Number Brand Name
1 19 Suzuki LT50 Pamela Sánchez
2 74 Suzuki LT50 Pedro Meneses
3 40 Suzuki LT50 Jorge Aguilar
4 38 Suzuki LT50 Alina Vargas
5 23 Suzuki LT50 Bryan Valiente
6 18 Suzuki LT50 Manrique Soto
7 76 Suzuki LT50 Andrés Sánchez
8 95 Suzuki LT50 Marco Antonio Segnini
9 3 Suzuki LT50 Jason González

2003 ACCUA MX Schedule
Date Location
Round 1 May 11 Pista La Laguna, Acosta
Round 2 June 8 Pista La Olla, Poas
Round 3 June 29 Pista La Olla, Poas
Round 4 July 20 TBA
Round 5 August 24 TBA
Round 6 Sept.28 TBA
Round 7 October 26 TBA
Round 8 Nov. 16 TBA

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