MOTORCYCLE DRAG RACE A HIT; ANOTHER ONE SET APRIL 27-28!

The motorcycle drag race, long considered as an illegal racing activity with the enthusiasts racing in the highways at night, may yet become a major sporting event in the town of M’lang, thanks to the 1.2-km runway of the M’lang Central Mindanao Airport.

As thousands lined up 8 to 10 deep and craned their necks to witness the fastest motorcycles compete for a small prize money and big wagers by the side during the Feb. 16 Tulabong Festival drag race, M’lang Mayor Lito Pinol said he intends to hold another drag race on April 27 to 28 of this year.

“I received as request from motorcycle drag race enthusiasts that they would like to have more races in the future and I intend to support them,” Mayor Lito said.

But learning from yesterday’s experience, Mayor Lito said he will put up barriers to prevent spectators from crossing the race lanes and construct stands at the starting and finishing lines to give paying spectators a better view.

But the happiest people yesterday were not only the drag racers and their fans but the ordinary barangay folks, who upon learning of the Tulabong Festival, put up stalls and sold drinks and food.

One stall owner told me early this morning that she made an income of P9,000 yesterday, which is actually bigger than what she used to make from her small land every four months.

“How I wish they will have the Tulabong Festival every weekend,” she told me yesterday.

That wish may just come true.

Cotabato motorcycle drag racing enthusiasts are now planning to organize themselves in a federation of different municipal clubs so they could plan their events better.

(Photo taken by Raffy Abellera)