THE 2012 Philippine motorcycle sport racing season will officially unfold this weekend with the  motocross races scheduled at  Dulong Bayan,  Santa Maria,  Bulacan  today (Feb. 12).

Thousands are expected to troop to the venue to witness the opening round of the  2012 Philippine National Motocross Development Program, NAMSSA’s grassroots training program for motorcycle sport athletes engaged in the motocross discipline.

The  races are part of the festivities  prepared by Hon. Bartolome “Omeng” Ramos, Municipal Mayor, Hon. Russell “Yoyoy” Pleyto, Vice Mayor  and the Santa Maria Town Fiesta Committee, headed by  Engineer Bobby Nicolas to usher in Santa Maria’s  town fiesta and promote Santa Maria’s  riverbanks as a commercial and tourist destination.  

The opening round in every racing season is a much-awaited event that always brings out the best from the participants.

The races on Sunday will be no different as all categories are expected to be laden with high-octane action from the country's finest off-road warriors on two wheels and brings promise to more motorcycle sports events in Santa Maria in the future.

Four-time and reigning Motocross Rider of the Year Kenneth San Andres heads the marquee names who  have confirmed their participation.

San Andres is expected  to find his competition from the multi-titled motocross veterans Jolet Jao and Jovie Saulog who likewise clinched the 2011 Riders of the Year titles for Enduro and Supermoto, the country's top intermediate rider, Jean Erick Mitra from Rizal, Nueva Ecija and the unpredictable Migi Tolentino from Bacoor, Cavite.

Incidentally, San Andres is a major awardee in the PSA Annual Awards night scheduled next month.

2011 Rookie of the Year Chadwick Garcia will also be seeing action this weekend along with perennial rivals Omar Aman, Abdulsamie Kallahal and Miko Tolentino. Joseph Penaso and Jason Sarmiento are once again the favorites to prevail in the Enduro and Underbone categories.

The reigning 2011 FIM Asian Junior 85 Champion and the country's top junior rider Mark Reggie Flores, from San Pablo City, Laguna will also be present and is expecting his competition to come from  brothers Ralph  and Christian Ramento, 2011 Philippine Junior 65cc Champion Gabriel Macaso, Christian  Ramento, Chester de Luna and Radzie Kallahal, all equally determined and competent riders.