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/126538
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SPEEDWAY WEEK
Bobby Schwartz returned from England and smoked in the Qualifiers.
King, Bast, Yarrow
dominate Auburn
Qualifier
By Jann Houston
AUBURN, CA. AUG. 22
If there was ever any doubt that
speedway in northern California
is growing by leaps and bounds,
it was erased tonight in Auburn.
26.
Alen Fair Board memben realized
weeks ago that the seating capacity,
which barely accomodated the regular
weekly crowds. would never take care
of
the
Qualifier
crowd.
and
immediately arranged for a complete
new set of permanent stands facing the
existing ones. There was question for a
while whether construction would
meet the deadline, and as it turned
out. they were given the fmal OK by
safety inspectors less than 24 hours
before the Qualifier.
Tonight's event set an attendance
record for both nonhern California
speedway, as well as for any event previously held in the Auburn Fairground
facility. The crowd got what they paid
forI Lance King, a former resident of
Auburn during his Junior Speedway
years. had mechanical problems in his
first heat. forcing him out on lap four
and into a very disappointing start.
Whatever the problem was, it was
obviously resolved, as he came out for
his remaining events and was undefeated for the night including the win
in the main event. ending the evening
with 17 points in a tie with northern
Californian Duane Yarrow.
Mike Bast. suffering with his injured
foot, claimed the honor of highest
points with 18. He won his fU'St heat,
took second to Tom Ferris in the
second. won the third as well as his
semi. and finished second to King in
the main.
Duane Yarrow, who had the highest
point totals overall in the 1979
Qualifier series. won his fU'St two
heats. took second in the third, won
his semi, and placed third in the main
earning him his 17 points and a tie
with King.
Alan Christian ended the evening
fourth in point totals with 13 after
experiencing a little bad luck along the
way. He won his first heat, took second
in heat two as Steve Lucero held on for
the win. Mechanical problems ended
heat three on the first lap. forcing him
into an intermission tie breaker with
Craig Schaefer and Dennis Bransford.
He won that, along with his semi.
giving him a transfer to the main.
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Christian drew the wall position,
and as the tape went up it appeared to
break on his helmet. Controversy will
rage on this one for a long time to
come, as many feel it was a
mechanical defect in the starting gate.
The referee did not see it that way,
and Christian was outl
Keith Larsen, who filled the spot
left by Bobby Schwam. did an
impressive job as a reserve rider.
Schwam was unable to make the first
round due to commitments overseas,
and was excused by both northern and
southern California Speedway Control
Boards.
An intermission protest by the now
former track engineer added a touch
of humor and humiliation to the
evening; actually, most of the fans
were having too much fun to notice.
Upset by the fact that the promoter
decided to move the pole out slightly
between turns one and two to
eliminate possible danger to the riders
due to a rut which had formed, he
parked the tractor on the track. took
the keys, and left! The childish, silly
action was quickly handled by an
unidentified heavy equipment operator
from the audience.
Results
POINTS: 1. Mike Bat 1181; 2. Uonco King/Duane
Y""aw 1171; 4. Alon Chrio1ion 1131; 5. Mike F.i8IPoul
Qrtond; 112); 7. S _ L.-o 1101; 8. 0 - Sima 191; 9.
John 58ndonoIOubb FemJlUGory Foo-d 18); 12. <>Woodo/Ron McGiU [7); 14. Tom ForriIIKoith L.anen.
R-. (8); 16. Domis _ordICroig SchMI. 161; 18.
Tom Morley/Jell TomIinIMH