Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

dlno - Venhara - Aabarn - Na. . - C..ta M_ - San Bernardino - Venhara - Aabarn - Na. . - C.-ta M_ - San Bernardlno - Venhara- Faria breaks Ventura track record By Bill Locey VE T RA. CA. MAY 15 "Flyin' Mike" Faria zoomed into the record books as he won the Scratch main for the sixth con ecutive Tue day night at the Commotion by the Ocean. In 14 years of speedway at Ventura, no one has ever done this before. Also, Pat Hawley let out a "yahoo" louder than the roar of six speedway bikes after taking the Handicap main orr the zero for his first-everrirst Division trophy. In S ratch racing, Faria outgated and thrashed the newly attired 'Brad Oxley to win his heat. Kelly Moran, 13-year-veteran Mike Curoso and Christian -faster than last .time -all gated their way to heat race wins. Moran, the only rider to beat Faria here this year, was doing just that in the semi, when his bike got sick just like it has almost every night at every track. This time, Moran's bike slowed on the home straight, and for a second, it seemed Faria would slam into him. But at the very last second, Faria zipped around on the inside like a wired water bug, and won easily. Christian won the other semi by keeping Oxley and Ed Ca tro bottled up behind him. In the main - after the crowd cheered Faria. booed Christian and tottered on the verg-e of indirrerence for Oxley and Bob Ott - Christian took the inside lead around turn one. Faria stayed wheel to wheel around turn two and down the back straight. before pulling ahead by turn three. By turn four, Faria was out front and headed for the record book. In the Handicap main, Moran tried his sick bike again, didn't go very far or very fast, and pulled into the pit. seekinga new mechanic. Meanwhile. back at the race, Hawley led from start to finish. Craig Schaefer wa second, followed by Andy Northrup. In econd Division racing, old guy Bill Gray, starting at the bottom of the bottom with #999 on his back. came back to ride for tlle firSt time since 1492. Or 1977. He led his heal for a few laps on a bike older than dirt, before sliding out around turn three. Gray promised to try again next week. Eddie Marshall had better luck he won his heat and his first-ever main event over last week's winner Jerr Springman and other assorted hOI guys. And Jeff Jones earned a shot at Second Division after winning his Third Division main in a crash-filled ra e in which only two riders survived. No speedway on May 29, so don't drive up here. Speedway i back on June 5 with (we hope) Bobby Schwartz, Sam Ermolenko and Rob Pfetzing. Results SCRATCH MAIN: 1. Mike Faria; 2. AlanChristian; 3. Brad Oxley; 4. Bob On. HANDICAP MAIN; 1. Pat Hawley; 2. Craig Schae, fer; 3. Andy Northrup; 4. Brad Ox.ley; 5. Mike Mazzacane. SEC DIV MAIN; 1. Eddie Marshall; 2. Jeff Spring, man; 3. Lou Kriesberg; 4. Mark Weaver: 5. Wah Farnum; 6. Don Butler. THIRD DIV MAIN; 1. Jeff Jones; 2. Bobby Tocco; 3. Glen Bowers; 4. Joe Bishop; 5. Oscar Salinas; 6. Jim Peery. Lawson. Castro victorious at Visalia By Bill Locey VISALIA, CA, MAY 12 Forty-six riders showed up for the 1984 Visalia season opener which was also the Central Valley Speedway Club's 10th year. Jim Lawson arid Ed Castro were both glad they made the driveas each won a main. Buddy Robinson, however, would've been better orr at home watching "The Love Boat" as he fell and broke his collarbone in a gnarly Handicap main spill. "For an opening night, it looked like everyone had been ridillg for six months," said promoter Leroy Mi Iler. "Everyone rode hard; it was a hot night and a good track." Robinson's vacation came about like this; Forty-yard liner Castro was being hotly pursued by 50-yard-li ner Robinson in the main with all the other guys behind them. On the last lap, Robinson nudged Castro hard on the back wheel, just the sight we all dread. Not only didn't Castro move, but Robinson high-sid d and went down hard, breaking his collarbone, ending up lying against the wall. Credit Randy Blevins with a nifty laydown which spared Robin- son greater harm. Lawson managed to avoid both fallen riders and was a distant second behind Castro. Rocky Robin on was third followed bv Steve Martin. . In Scratch racing, Lawson lost his heat to the Budman, but held off Dave Cox and Bakersfield' Ron Hardin. Lawson came back to win his semi, helped in part by Don Butler's bike problems. Castro wa econd by inches. Lawson got tlle gate and led aU the way in the main. With a wild lastturn drive. third-place finisher Dave Hancock nearly nipped Castro at the line in a classic case of coming out of nowhere. The opener also marked the '84 .debut of "The Chrisco Kid," Keith Chrisco. He won the Scratch consy, but could've gone further on a faster bike. "I saw some ra es and got excited again," said Chrisco explaining the end of his retirement. The only woman rider on the circuit this year, Valerie Robledo, won the econd Division main over five locals. Visalia will run through eptember 8 with designs also on another date a week later. For Central Valley information, call 209/683-1270. • Results SCRATCH MAIN; 1. Jim Lawson; 2. Ed Castro; 3. Dave Hancock; 4. Buddy Robinson. HANDICAP MAIN; 1. Ed CoStro; 2. Jim Lawson; 3. Rocky Robinson; 4. Steve Manin; 5. Randy Blevins; 6. Buddy Robinson. SEC DIV MAIN; 1. Valerie Robledo; 2. Mark Zissler; 3. Jason Chisem; 4. Rick Hughes; 5. Mike Remine; 6. Rod Pires. MATCH RACE; 1. Buddy Robinson del. Keith Chrisco. Some ofour fastest Suzukis just star viIlg faster. During the Suzuki Knockout Savings Sale, it's amazing how fast our '81, '82 and '83 Suzuki street machines start moving. So hurry, GSll00GLZ GS850GLZ SaO sfio Now $3,379 GS650EX because the only way to get the right price on one of our fast-moving road bikes is to get yourself moving just as fast to your Suzuki dealer. 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