Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126069
• • 03 - . : r"':: III • , OC O"l Mike Bast :.. o U .S. N ati onal -Sp ccdway Champion 1971, 1973 and 1975. On Saturday, October 16, Mike Bast will defend his National .D o ..... u o title against 16 of the best Speedway riders America has to offer at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. California. Bast has been the highest total overall seasonal points man for the last five years - the most nearly perfect rider in America. He's totally dedicated to the sport as an individual rider as well as a team rider. There will be n o one on the line at the final not feeling the over whelming dominance of this 23 ·year-o ld master. As far as he's concerned, his biggest threat will come from anyone and all of the 16 rider field. Anything can happen when you only have one nigh t to go for it all. A master of the "holeshot" art, he feels the start is the most important part of the race. Off the track. Bast is quiet and fairly reserved. Movie stunt riding and TV commercials are other sources of income for Mike. Two recent movies he's appeared in are "Freebie and the Bean" and "Gum Ball Rally".Mike also teaches Speedway school when he has the time and enjoys every minute of it. Bast is one of the most serious, dedicated men in Speedway and his sense of competition is keen and honest. He owns and maintains his own equipment and still finds the time to help out many of the young racers he now faces in competition. Oubb Ferrell 32 A lot of fans agree that 22-year-old Dubb Ferrell will be the man Bast will have to do business with when it gets down to the line for the title. After four years of competition, Ferrell will definitely be pulling all the stops out for this event. Dubb turned down a chance to compete in Europe this last year due to the introduction of team racing here in America. His decision to stay home brought the Bakersfield Bandits to the National Spe edway League Championship' title. Third in individual league points standings, Dubb and his Bakersfield teammate, Jeff Sexton, won the Best Pairs Championships on both the San Bernardino and Costa Mesa a ovals . Nine years ago Dubb rode 125cc bike at local TT and flat tracks. He's been riding Speedway for six years which makes him one of the most experienced veterans on the circuit today. Dubb has three Na tional rides to his credit, finishing sixth, fourth, and last year, second . Ferrell 's determination and un-relenting competitive nature will be a constant threat to anyone of the 16 qualifiers on the track. He's one of the smal lest riders on the circuit, Lightweight? Maybe. Talented-fast? You bet! _ Jeff Sexton Bruce Penhall Second in League points standings, top American scorer an d the only American to make th e fou r-man Inter-Continental Final in Israel, t his I 9-year-old blonde bo mbshell has got what it takes to win wh en the pressure is on. It hasn 't been easy though, Bruce has worked hard all this season to become one of the favorites to capture the 1976 Championship title. This exceptionally handsome young man is considering the European Speedway circuit as his next challenge, but as yet has made no definite p lans to re-locate away from his Balboa home base. He wants to further his education and plans to eventually enter the family busin Bruce concentrates on opti mum ability under any circumstances on the track. Rick Woods was sponsored to his 1972 Championship title by Bruce's late father. His interest in speedway was enco uraged by his father and it didn't take lo ng for him to develope o ne of 't he largest fan clubs around the circuit. When Huffman announces him as "The Fox", Bruce still blushes a lthough, after two years of bubblegummers going nuts the minute he walks out onto the track, he should be used to it by now. lie's serious about his dedication tothe sport of Speedway and will be showing his fans just how serious he can get on Octoberr 16. Two years ago Jeff Sexton came within one point of the National title in his first National competition. Steve Bast refused to become the unwilling victim of such an unprecedented upset, but Jeff has remained a major threat to everyone on the track ever since. He finished the season this year fourth In points and was the Team Captain of NS L League Champions, the Bakersfield Bandits. Jeff owns and maintains his own equip ment and claims it's been an up an d down year fo r him as far as mechanical problems are concerned. He's really loo kin g forward to t he Nationals and go t a big kick out of beating Bast and PenhaJI in the Best Pair s Champio ns hip . He's a very serious 22 -year-old competitor and feels that Bast. Ferrell, Christian, Penhall and Schwartz will be his toughest opponents . He'll be doing his best to stay relaxed, eventhough the title mean s a lot to him, he always seems to do better when he 's not up tigh t. He ca me so close two years ago that he can't be taken lightly by anyone on the track.