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/126330
; • • ,OOOOOOOOClQOOOO C C CM)O()O(lCl ~ C Cl Cl OOOOO OOO C C Cl Cl ClOOOOQOQ Cl C Cl Cl ooO .;. SPEEDWAY W ~ Ventura: Batman, Robin return t By Dennis Greene VENTURA , CA , AUG . 29 The fans from Gotham City were happy to see Batman and Robin ride to victory Tuesday night at 'the fairgrounds in Ventura. Leni Faas (Batman) won the First Division Handicap Main event. while "Boy Wonder" Tom Burmeister "powed" the bad guys in the Second Division Main. The highlight of the night went to the Third Division Main when the "Lady in Pink, " Pam Bennet, ran away with the race. The big shootout of the night, the Scratch Main event, put Alan Christian, Bob Schwartz, Tom Morley and Ron Preston on the Scratch line for the closest race of the night. It was Christian getting the drive on the back straightaway that moved him into the lead and four laps later into the winner's circle. Brian Bishop , riding from the top 10 yardline, captured first ahead of Shawn McConnel. Third was Dave Faria, brother of top northern rider Mike Faria , fourth was "Spiderm an" 1 Mike Bloom. The Second Division Scratch Main was won by Ernie Roccio , who a couple of weeks ago surprised everyone. by winning the Second D!!ision Main. Ernie beat out top Division Two riders Jim Turner and third place Paul · Diguisippi. Dave Brewer was fourth . Four weeks ago Jeff Vasquez took his license test to see if he was good enough to ride Third Division . Jeff went on to win the Main that night. Tonight Jeff won the Second Division Handicap, Main. Second was Steve Joiner, third Robbie McBride and fourth was Paul Diguissippi. )J Displaying new leathers is supposed to be a ' jinx, and both Bryan Buffington and Keith Chrisco had a new set of Veras leathers: Both proved the rumor to be true as neither was in a main event. The closest race of the night was in the Junior Division as Louis Kossuth Jr outrode Scott St. John in a poinu battle to gain top Junior honors for the night. Nor Cal invades Santa Ana Christian doubles at San Berdoo ~y By Dennis Greene Ken Kellogg SANTA ANA, CA. AUG . 29 A swann of northern riders invaded southern California Tuesday night. and for many it was a worthwhile trek. One of those (Top) At San Bernardino. Alan Christian became the first rider in 78 to win two main events in a night. (Above) Pam Bennett (Inside) won the Division Three Main at Ventura. (Below) Dan McNeill bites the dust at ~ Mesa. 14 was Dennis Robinson, who rode to a First Division Scratch Main victory. Having a good night overall and finishing second was Brian Bishop, third was Paul Belisle and fourth was another northern rider. number tworated Dennis Orlandi. The First Division Handicap Main was minus Bryan Buffington, because of a controversial call in event two by referee Myron Bloom . Bryan was disqualified for bumping Mike Bloom in tum one and another rider in turn three. there was a violent outroar from the crowd as the announcement was made. Many riders were upset as were pit stewards, fans and others. Some riders even went on the infield to file a protest. Now that tempers were coolc;d somewhat, I feel I must say, not In defense of Myron Bloom, but in defense of the rules, and that is "the referee's decision is final. " If there is a protest it should be filed with an A.M.A. Official or another official. not by -throwing things on the track. The decision was made, and although I don't personally agree, I didn't throw things. This display was extremely childish and uncalled for. Anyone who participated in this display owes the officials, other fans and especially the promoter Louis Kossuth an apology, because it was Louis and his crew who had to clean up the mess and run the races late. Also, these fans were running the risk of having the races cancelled for the evening. This is no way to show gratitude to a man who has provided an exciting track and program every week. I hope the people who were big enough to throw things are big enough to apologize and really show their appreciation by support. If fans start throwing things then there will be no races for anyone to enjoy. . In the First Division Handicap Main SAN BERNARDINO. CA, AUG . 30 It was not really a one-man show. but the way Alan Christian was riding. you would have thought so. For the first time this season at San Bernardino, one rider won both main events, Christian took the Scratch Main with Bob Schwartz, still wearing a cast on his left hand, pushing hard for second place, followed by Dennis Sigalos and Ron Preston. Dennis changed the order around in the Handicap Main. It was still Christian for the win, but Dennis got by Schwartz for second. Division Two got a chance at Scratch racing with only the winner of each of the four heat races moving on to the main. Doug Skiles took the overall win. Frank Forsyth picked up his first win in Division Three. M eylor, M cClain top Ascot By Dennis Gree ne ;> GARDENA, CA. AUG. 31 With a half-dozen of the top riders out of the country for the World Speedway Championship in England, it became necessary to move some riders into First Division who would not ordinarily get a chance to ride with the big guys. n Joe Meyler, from the zero-yard line, held off Shawn Moran in the Handicap Main event when Mike Peddicord used up so much of the race track that there was no safe way to get past him. Moran tried several times, but was moved much too close to the crash wall and good race sense told him to back off. Moran did get by on the last lap to take second place. Bob McClain pulled off the win in the Scratch Main event with Northern