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/126333
; 1:1 . SPEEDWAY WEEK· ~ t (Above) Alan CtvIatI8n bKka It In undemeeth Dennie Slvaloa lit Coat8 M.... (Below) DevId SIm. end Tom Morley lit ".IIeIe" Bernerdlno. U.S. National on October 14 at Costa Mesa. A new starting gate was unveiled Friday night at Costa M~. and worki a lot like the timer lights at a drag strip. The riders pull up to the Scratch line and a staging light comes on . If a rider rolls past the light beam. a rea light comes on and the gate will not go up . When all four riders are behind the light beam. the photo' cell takes over and it will release the gate. The whole thing was built by a Speedway fan who felt that several rid er s were tuned in with the line marshall. who : starts the race. Ron Preston was beaten earlier jn the night . by some other electronic devic e on his way to the race track that was built by ' th e police department. But Ron got a little revenge by winning the Scratch Ma in even t. A run -off between Dan McNeill and John Sandona for the reserve spot in the National went to McNeill. Dan kept his winning streak al ive in the Handicap Main even t. This Friday night . the last event before the National. will feature a match race between three -t ime Champ Rick Woods and two-time Champ Steve Bast. Bennett, Bast blast Berdoo By Dennis Greene SAN BERNARDINO. CA , SEPT. 20 Pam Bennett. the lady in pink. just turned 18 this month ; and added one more victory to her credit in Division Three, now giving her wins at San Bernardino. Costa Mesa and Ventura . It was a nice way . to round out the season for this nice young lady. The final event of th e yea r for San Bernardino will be run th is Thursday night . the Ca lifornia Sta te Chapionship. Gene Woods. Bob Schwartz. Dennis Sigalos and Mike Bast gave the fans some idea what to look forward to when they lined up for the Scratch Ma in event. The four-lap fea ture saw no one get a clear lead. It was very close racing right up to the closing few feet when Mike Bast took the checkered flag with Sigalos just inches ahead of Schwartz. The last trophy given out in Handicap racing went to Kurt Stromrner, ro und ing out a great night and a fine season. Schwartz faster without the plaster at Ventura By Dennis Greene VENTURA. CA. SEPT. 19 16 Monday Bobby Schwartz had the cast on his left hand removed and Tuesday night he rode to victory in the Scratch Main event . at Ventura Speedway. Schwartz has , \.. ' ... .. .... . . qualified for the U .S. Nationals in October and very well may be on the top step when the trophies are passed out the 14th. He will also be in this week's track championship at the Ventura Fairgrounds. Tom Burba. a Division One and Two rider. got his chance in Division One in the Handicap Main Event and pulled off the big upset of the night when he stayed out of a pile-up with Steve Nutter and Alan Christ ian. Again it was Christian being scored last for causing the crash. Results Preston, McNeill nail Costa Mesa wins By Dennis Greene COSTA MESA . CA . SEPT. 22 It seems like only yesterday I was writing about all the tracks opening for the 1978 'season , and now there is only this week left of regular speedway, followed by the . - VENTURA, SEPT. 19, 1978 SCRATCH MAIN EVENT: 1. Bob Sch-u; 2. Tom Morley, 3. John CooIl:; 4. Tom Ftwri.. • HANDICAP MAIN EVENT: 1. Tom Burbo; 2. John Cook; 3. Tom Ferris; 4. Stelle Columbo; 5. Stove Nunor; 6. Alen Christian . DIVISION TWO: J im Forehllnd. DIVISION THREE: John Connolly. •SAN BERNARDINO. SEPT. 20. 1978 SCRATCH MAIN EVENT: 1. Mike Boot; 2. Dennis Sigoloo; 3. Bob scn-tz; 4. Gone Woodo. HANDICAP MAIN EVENT: 1. Kurt Strom_; 2. Morlt Morrion; 3. Donnis SigoIoo; 4. Don MeN'""; 5. Ron Prtman; 6. Shewn Moran . DIVISION TWO: Mork Don... DIVISION THREE: Pom Bonnotl. COSTA MESA. CA. SEPT. 22,1978' SCRATCH MAIN EVENT: 1. Ron PrOOlon; 2. Dove Sims; 3. Alan Chri8tian; 4. Dennis Sigalot. . HANDICAP MAIN EVENT: 1. Den McNeill; 2. Bob MclAin; 3. Shown Moron; 4. Louis WndwoII; 5. Dennis SigoIoo; 6. Jon BoIIord. DIV ISION TWO: D o n _ . DIVISION THREE: Morlt MilIluo. _ -- ------- _.