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/126466
i - ---- ---~~~--~------- - - -- - -~~~~~~----- -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- ~------ ---- - - - -~-- - - --- - - -- --- ------ ~---~--~- -- - - - -- ------- -- SPEEDWAY WEEK ~ E o 00 0') .... I-c p.. < ... ; Blatlng out of the gate are (left to right) Deve DeTemple, Bred Oxley, Kurt Strommer end John Sendone. Christian strikes for two at Costa Mesa By Ken Kellogg COSTA MESA, CA, APR. 11 A hot dry wind could not slow up speedway fans as a capacity crowd filled the stands to view opening night festivites while aU ·.26 ... the riders worked vigorously to get their bikes ready for one of the biggest nights of the year. One of many studying the track and preparing his finely honed machine was a face missing from speedway for 18 months due to injury "Dangerous Dubb" Ferrell. Dubb showed glimpses of the old Dubb, weaving in and out of bikes and riding anywhere on the traclr., inside or outside, wherever there was an opening. It was good to see this familiar face back. During the Handicap Main Event, Alan "Crazy" Christian, riding from the 50-yard line, took full advantage of his long start and by lap two was in second place behind Lance King. Lance was unable to keep the door closed on Christian and on lap three, tum three Alan took the inside track and moved into first place. Sterling Cagor turned in an impressive ride for third. In the Scratch Main Dubb Ferrell finished just behind Alan Christian, which really wasn't too bad at all since no one beat Alan in either main. The Scratch Maia provided. a- .perfect match up between Ferrell and Christian as they battled for the lead. In Scratch racing the most important part of the race is the gate, and Alan took full advantage of this and beat the other three bikes out of the stan, and no one was able to catch him. Fmishing behind Alan and Dubb was Leni Faas, an upcoming rider, and Lance King finished fourth. From a field of l!l second division riders Derek Gage proved to all he is 0J.1 his way to division one with a nice WID. In division three Robin Bourgeois rmished first in front of Greg Ayers and Tom Hughes. The return of Danny "Berzerko" Becker was not as Danny would have wished it. He seemed to have a string of bad Iud. During one race his bike seemed to freeze up on him, then during the match race between him and Dave DeTemple, Danny's back tire came off causing a default. However this will not dampen the comeback efforts of "Bezerko." Next week he'll be bad and ready to race. Alan Christian may very well have his hands full next week as Bobby Schwanz returns from England to race at Costa Mesa. Then again, if Christian rides like he did this night, he's ready for just such a challenge. • Results SCRATCH MAIN: 1. Alan Chrioliln; 2. Dubb _ I ; 3. Leni ~ 4. lAnce King. HANDICAP MAIN: 1. Alan C _ 12; 2. lAnce King 1131; 3. SIWtIng e-121. SECOND DIY: 1. 00reIc c;.ge; 2. Tom ~; 3. JMI Tomlin. THIRD DIY: 1. Robin IIourgeoio; 2. Greg , , _ 3. _1'''''' ........ _ ._ • • • . . • . • . •__ •