That’s 1 Fast Mercedes

Mercedes Santana is just 13, but is making waves nationally, and next month heads to the ‘Loretta Lynn’s,’ named for the singer who hosts the U.S. amateur championships

Wednesday - June 21, 2006
By Lisa Asato
E-mail this story | Print this page | Archive | RSS

Mercedes is flying high these days

‘Wow, that’s impressive.’ She’s really aggressive on the bike, which is a good thing.

“She’s got her natural ability, and if she can evolve and work on techniques, and just keep practicing and working on those things, she can be really, really good.”

Also representing Hawaii in the upcoming nationals is Natalie Eichner of Ewa Beach, who took fourth in the same class as Santana at last year’s nationals. Eichner will compete this year in the women’s 99cc to 250cc 12-plus class.

Mitchell Meyer, Mercedes’ grandpa, came to watch last Saturday as Mercedes jumped, landed and cornered around the Kahuku dirt track. “This is only the second time I seen her ride, but I think she’s got the potential to go up there and go get (the title),” he says. “She has the confidence.

“What makes her good is that she races against the boys, so that gives her better training. Got other girls, but she’s the only one who competes against the boys and stays up with them or beats ‘em. She beats most of ‘em.”

Listening nearby, Mercedes smiles, and says her favorite things about motocross are “jumping and competing with boys,” which she does because there are too few girl riders. Her idol, Ricky Carmichael, a professional rider whose nicknames include G.O.A.T., for Greatest of All Time, autographed her helmet at last year’s Loretta Lynn’s.

This year, Mercedes is going into the race with one more title under her belt. She took first in the boys under 15 division here for the year.

“This is her first year taking first overall in the whole season - not just one race,” her dad says, owing it to her multiple first place finishes in 12 races at Kahuku. “Next year if she wants to she can wear the No. 1 plate.”

For now though, the Santanas are hoping she’ll do well in Tennessee and attract some needed sponsorships. Motocross is an expensive sport, Kelly says, with bikes costing $3,000 apiece, and travel and car expenses to get the three of them to the nationals costing $2,500. But they’re working to make it happen and are always seeking sponsors.

Nelson was absent from the track last Saturday. A carpenter, he was working a side job to help fund the trip, which Mom, Dad and Mercedes will

attend, but 9-year-old brother Keanu, will not. He’ll be visiting Disneyland in November.

“We’re all into the same thing except my son,” Kelly, a former four-wheel rider, says laughing. “He loves animals. He doesn’t want to get dirty.”

Gribbon, meanwhile, says his father is so impressed with the Santanas dedication that he feels moved to help out.

“He’s going to buy her a new bike for this race,” Gribbon says. “We really see her talent. She has very, very good potential.”

Interested supporters may contact the family at 351-1700, email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or snail mail: P.O. Box 648, Waianae, HI 96792.

Page 2 of 2 pages for this story < 1 2