Diamond Motocross Series all about friendship, passion, music

(From left) Elgene Cruz, Jon Blaylock and Samuel Mark Tamayo have reasons to smile. INQUIRER PHOTO/ KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ

There’s more than winning trophies and cash prizes in the much-awaited Diamond Motocross Series which will kick off on February 27 at the Mx Messiah Fairgrounds in Taytay, Rizal.

Fact is, the five-leg series featuring the country’s elite riders, amateurs and newbies is also about friendship, music and the passion to bolster the sport.

Jon Blaylock, lead singer of the band Firefalldown, and who happens to be the head of planning and marketing of main sponsor Diamond Motor Corporation, has a truthful answer on why Diamond is highly-supported of the series.

Of course, Diamond is the country’s leading seller of four-wheel cars under Mitsubishi and not bikes.

‘‘The thing about motocross, well it’s a good fit for our strong SUV line, Montero and Estrada. But also as a company we want to push that angle that we want to show the people that we’re not just about selling cars, we are about people. Investing in what people are passionate about.’’

The young Blaylock, Director Samuel Mark Tamayo of race organizer Generation Congregation and Marketing chief Elgene Cruz guested in Tuesday’s well-attended Philippine Sportswriters at Shakey’s Malate.

And Blaylock, whose band is one of the featured groups in the series, was very vocal not only about his friendship with the organizers but also the passion of Tamayo and company to do something for the sport.

‘‘Well, besides the friendship, that is a very big factor, it’s about believing in someone whom we are willing to invest and in their dreams. I saw the passion that Sam has for the sport and the passion involved for both people and sport,’’ Blaylock said. 

‘‘With regard to business venture, Diamond Motors has been looking to expand and build relationships with our customers. We want to be passionate with what our customers are passionate about. ‘’

Blaylock said Sam and  his group are extremely passionate.

‘‘It’s all for the love of it, these are the people you want to come along side with. These people are hungry and motivated to see things happen. See things progress. That’s the angle we are trying to push.’’

Tamayo isn’t new to motocross. A top-notch rider himself, Tamayo has seen the best and worst of the sport.

‘‘The series is more than a race which will give newbies and other rider the oppurtunity to excel,’’ said Tamayo.

Tamayo and his group named Xtreme Adrenaline Sports actually joined hands with Diamond Motors last October with a race, which attracted lots of attention and praise from riders and the public.

‘‘We gave it a trial last October and it caused a lot of buzz and when the executives of the company saw it they said, let’s do more of this,’’ recalled Blaylock, who noted the country’s improving economic climate.

‘‘The country is currently developing at a very rapid pace and what we’ve seen elsewhere is that when this happens the impact is often evident in certain industries – extreme sports is definitely one of those industries.’’ 

Competing for glory are veterans Glenn Aguilar, Jovie Saulog, Jing Leongson, Bebet dela Cruz, Jolet Jao, JC and Enzo Rellosa, who will share the spotlight with young turks Jacob Orbe, Ralph Ramento, Mclean Aguilar and Jepoy Rellosa. Popiular rider Bonzkie Mangosong is also expected to see action.

Cruz said the series will showcase the Pro Open, Pro Lites, amateur and newbie classes, ladies, veterans, executive open, kids, newbie open production, newbie local enduro, open local enduro and open local underbone.

The second leg will be held on March 12, third leg on April 2, fourth leg on April 29 and the concluding leg on May 21. 

‘‘A grand prize of  P20,000.00 will go to the winner, P14,000.00 to the second placer and P10,000.00 to the third placer,’’ said Cruz, who stressed that other prizes are at stake in other categories. 

Raffles, giveaways and performances from Firefalldown, Light of Luna, Imbue No Kudos, Maryzark and Reborn will also delight the audience. Fans can also test drive the new Montero Sports and Strada.

Others supporting the event are Wheeltek, Dunlop Tires, Coffee Grounds, Xtreme Adrenaline Sports Entertainment Co, PTT Philippines Corporation, Monster Energy and the Municipality of Taytay.