Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

SPEEDWAY John Sandona was top qualifier for the U.S. Speedway National. Sandona tops qualifier finale at Costa Mesa By Scott Daloisio COSTA MESA, CA, AUG. 24 John Sandona established himself as one of the odds-on favorites for the U.S. National Speedway Championship by taking the final National Qualifier at the Orange County Fairgrounds.. ( 34 Coming into the race Sandona held a slim one-point lead over Dubb Ferrell. After one round it was even after Ferrell captured his first heat and Sandona was upset by reserve rider Bob Ott. Event 16 was the final race of the second round and it matched Sandona against Ferrell for the series point lead. It turned out to be Sandona all tbe way with Ferrell breathing down his neck. That gave Sandona a one-point lead and he advanced it one more by taking his final qualifying ride while Ferrell was upset by a determined Mark Dwyer, who eventually qualified for hi~ first National. Alan Christian captured the first semi over Sam Ermolenko, who had to work hard to pass Pat Linn for second on the second lap. Before the second semi Sandona said, "I have to draw the pole." He did and went on to post an easy win over Mike Delacy and Gene Woods. The third semi was a battle that will long be remembered, possibly the most exciting race of the year at Harry Oxley's place. Ferrell took the win but he had to survive a tremendous war with Buddy Robinson (who was the leader early in the race), Mike Faria arid Keith Chrisco. The final semi went to Brad Oxley over Mike Curoso. The first consolation featured Curoso, who needed a win to be the first reserve for next june's American Final. It was obvious that he realized thisas heeasily ran away. In the main event, Sandona drew the pole and led into the first corner. Christian was second out and quickly pulled alongside Sandona on the outside. They battled like that for two laps with Sandona maintaining a half-bikelength lead. Realizing that he was not going to get by on the outside, Christian went to the pole on lap three. However, that allowed Sandona to pull away and open up a lead that he carried all the way to the checkered. Oxley then made a mad charge and gOt inside Christian comtng- cifY-the -final' corneT1iutn-€Iel1 -a-- half length shon of second at the finish. Ferrell took the wrap up. Results MAIN EVENT: 1. John Sandona (WasI; 2. Alan Christian (Gdnl; 3. Brad Oxley (Wesl; 4. Dubb Fer· rell (Jawl. NATIONAL QUALIFIERS: 1. John Sandona (6B); 2. Dub Ferrell (63); 3. Brad Oxley (601; 4. Sam Ermolenko(56); 5. Alan ChrIstian (53); 6. Mike Faria (48); 7. Buddy Robinson (411; B. Keith Chrisco (37); 9. Mike Curoso (31 I; 10. Keith Larsen (291; 11. Jim Lawson (2B); 12. Mark Owyer (271; 13. Gene Woods (24); 14. Mike Delacy (22"1; 15. Pat Linn (1B"). • - Reserve. Christian crushes IMS qualifier By Scott Daloisio SAN BERNARDINO, CA, AUG. 22 After breaking a dry spell the previous week, Alan "Crazy" Christian came right back and showed a packed house who is boss by taking the main event at the U.S. National Qualifier at john LaDouct1ur's Inland Motorcycle Speedway. Even though Christian, the winner in the 1983 event, took the main event he was tied on points with 18 by john Sandona and Dubb Ferrell. After the qualifying round, only Mike Faria and Dubb Ferrell were resting on perfect scores of nine points. Eventual winner Christian was coming into the semis with seven after a win and two second-place finishes. Before the semis, there was a five rider run-off between Tom Burba, Mike Curoso, Warren Diem, Brad Oxley and Gene Woods, level at five points. AJ1 but one would go. The crowd went wild as Oxley led four other riders into a packed first corner and opened it up down the back chute chased by Burba, who was replacing Dave DeTemple for the night. The race continued until Curoso and Diem tangled on lap three, bringing out a red flag. The result saw the race being called with Curoso being excluded. The first semi saw series leader Sandona, jump into the early lead over Buddy Robinson and Oxley. Oxley immediately went to work and shot by for second on lap two. Oxley's second earned a trip to the consolation while Sandona moved onto the maID. Jim Lawson got the gate in the second semi over Burba and Sam Ermolenko but Burba breezed by in turn one and never looked back. Lawson hung on for second with Ermolenko taking third and an early end to his night'~ racing. Christian -looR llie mira sHni in a race that fea- tured a little bumping between himself and runner-up Keith Chrisco. In the last semi winner Dubb Ferrell was constantly hounded by 17-yearold Bart Bast until the last lap when Bast parked and was nailed by thirdplace Keith Larsen. Bast was excl uded for causing the crash but he made a very good impression on the fans. The main event matched Burba on the pole against Christian, Sandona and Ferrell. Burba grabbed the gate but his lead was short-lived. Christian went to the inside and pushed the STP/Cirello Racing/Fiberglass Concepts/Valvoline/Bell/Hi Point/ PBIlTerrycable/Tsubaki/K&N Godden into the lead. Sandona got by Burba on the second lap in turn two and was set to repeat his event 19 victory over Christian but the "Big Fella" had something to say about that. Ferrell was going by Burba in turn three on the same lap when he tapped Burba's front tire, sending him to the dirt and out of the main. Christian took the dazzling finale by two lengths over Sandona as Ferrell finished third with Burba getting credit for the wrap up. Results MAIN EVENT: 1. Alan Christian (Gdn); 2. John Sendona (Wes); 3. Dubb Ferrell (Jaw); 4. Tom Burba (Jaw). CONSY: 1. Brad Oxley (Wes); 2. Keith Chrisco (Wes); 3. Jim lawson (Jawl. IMS NATIONAL QUALIFIER POINTS: 1. Alen Christian (Gdn) 1B; 2. John Sandona (Wes) 1B; 3. Dubh Ferrell (Jaw) 1B; 4. Tom Burba (Jaw) 13; 5. Jim lawson (Jaw) 12; 6. Keith Chrisco (Wes) 11; 7. Keith larsen (Wes) 10; B. Brad Oxley (Wesl 11; 9. Buddy Robinson (Jaw) 9; 10. Mike Faria (Wes) 9; 11. Sam Ermolenko (Wes) 9; 12. Bart Bast (Wes) 7; 13. Gene Woods (Gdn) 6; 14. Dave Faria (Jawl 6; 15. Greg Ayers (Wes) 6; 16. Warren Diem (WesI6; 17. Mike Curoso (WesI5; 1B. Dennis Briggs (Gdn)4; 19. T,m McCasland (WesI4; 20. Tuff McBride (Jaw) 4; 21. Duane Yarrow (Wesl3; 22. Pat linn (WesI3; 23. Ed castro (Jaw) 2; 24. Craig Schaefer (Jaw) 2; 25. John Volk (Jaw) 2; 26. Mike Mazzacane (Jaw) 2· 27. Steve Martin (Jaw) 2; 2B. Rocky Robinson (Gdn) 1; 29..Bob Ott (Wes) 1; 30. Sterling Cogar (Wesl 0; 31. MIke Delacy (Wes) 0; 32. Mark Dwyer (Wesl 0; 33. Andy Northrup (Was) O. Ermolenko sweeps Ventura qualifier By Bill Locey VENTURA, CA, AUG. 21 "Sudden Sam" Ermolenko, back in California for the qualifiers, won round two at the Ventura Raceway, the track where he got his AMA license just three years ago. Ermolenko, who won eight mains here last year, won all five of hi srides, earning a perfect 20. He was also the sixth rider in as many years to win the Tuesday night qualifier. Dubb Ferrell, who could've scored in double figures from the parking lot, was second with 17 points in his Ventura debut, and Mark Dwyer had a nifty 16-point night. Mike Faria, who's won everything there is to win in Ventura including this race last year, didn't even make the main, and instead was the consy queen. Ermolenko lucked out in the main. john Sandona outgated everyone and wasn't going to get caught, at least until his engine seized, good for last place. It wasn't a fun Tuesday for Sandona. Earl'ier he vehemently objected when the official scorers overruled referee Andy Cadotte who gave a close win to Sandona over Keith Larsen. Next time out, Sandona's bike croaked at the line, but he came back to win his final heat and semi for a trip to the main. Ermolenko, meanwhile, was consistently awesome, doubtlessly thriIli~g hi~ s~~n~o.r:T~_~ ~ng!':.I~s~ to !"I a ena. He !las become a sorld gater, and no longer has to pass everyone from behind, making for more wins if less drama. In their first rematch since their scary crash, Ermolenko au tga ted and thrashed Faria in the first race of the night. His other heats were cruisers, and "Sudden Sam" dusted off Keith Chrisco to make it to the main. Results MAIN EVENT: 1. Sam Ermolenko; 2. Dubb Ferrell; 3. Mark Dwyer; 4. John Sandona. CONSOLATION: 1. Mike Faria; 2. Brad Oxley; 3. Alan Christian; 4. Keith Chrisco. POINTS: 1. Sam Ermolenko (20); 2. Dubb Farrall (171; 3. Mark Dwyar (16); 4. MikaFaria(14); 5. John Sandone (13); 6. Brad Oxlay(12); 7. Alan Christian (9); B. Kaith Chrisco (9); 9. Buddy Robinson (91;Kaith larsen (B); 10. Andy Northrup (7); 11. Mika Curoso (7); 12. Gene Woods (6); 13. Mika Dalacy (6); 14. Mike Mazzacane (6); 15. Ed castro (5); 16. Duane Yarrow (4); 17. Greg Ayers (4); 1B. Jim lawson (41; 19. Warren Diem (4); 20. Dave Fa,ia (3); 21. Rocky Robinson (3); 22. Bart Bast (3); 23. Pat linn (3); 24. Bob Ott (3); 25. Dannis Briggs (2); 26. Steve Martin (2); 27. Tim McCasland (2); 2B. Staling Cogar (1); 29. Craig Schaafar (1); 30. John Volk (0); 31. Tuff McBride (0); 32. Dave DeTemple (0). Oxley aces Auburn qualifier By Jann Houston AUBURN, CA, AUG. 18 It was Brad Oxley's night as qualifying for the U.S. National Speedway Championship began at Auburn. Riding in the very first heat, NorCal rider Pat Linn got the gate with Oxley on the outside a clear second, until Linn slid out going into the third lap. Oxley charged into the lead, taking the checkered for his first win. In his second-round heat Oxley definitely got his worst start of the night, moving from dead last to get past Sterling Cogar and David Faria, jr. to a close second-place finish behind Mark Dwyer. Oxley's third-round heat was easy, taking the lead out of the gate and never allowing Dennis Briggs or Ed Castro to be any kind of threat. Oxley's semi event turned out to be a three-man heat, due to Mark Dwyer's exclusion on the restart. Oxley drew the outside wall position, and rode the outside, managing to get past Keith Chrisco on lap two fighting a side by side battle with Chrisco all the way to the checkered flag. The main event was made up of Buddy Robinson on the pole, Oxley .in position two, Sam Ermolenko in number three and john Sandona on the wall. Oxley had the lead out of the gate, as Sandona and Ermolenko did a duet about five bikelengths behind him. Oxley was in full command and happily grabbed the checkered flag for the victory. Sandona was second, followed by Ermolenko and Robinon. Results NATIONAL QUALIFIER: 1. Brad Oxley (19); 2. John Sandona (1 B); 3. Sam Ermolanko (16); 4. Mike Faria (151; 5. Buddy Robinson (14); 6. Dubb Farrall (13); 7. Keith Chrisco (11); B. Kaith larsen (9); 9. Alan Christian (B); 10. Keith larsen (7); 11. Tim McCasland (7); 12. Jim lawson (6); 13. Mika Curoso (6); 14. Mike Mazzacane (61; 15. Mike Delacy 6); 16. Pat linn (6); 17. Rocky Robinson (4); lB. David Faria Jr. (4); 19. Duene Yarrow (3); 20. David DeTemple (3); 21. Gane Woods (31; 22. Dennis Briggs (3); 23. Ed Castro (31; 24. John Volk (3); 25. Bart Bast (2); 26. Sterling Cogar (2); 27. Craig Sheaffar (2); 2B. Tuff McBride (1); 29. Stave Martin (0); 30. Andy Northrup (0). Delacy takes the cake at Baylands By W.H. Spencer FREMONT, CA, AUG. 9 Under a rapidly filling moon at Baylands Raceway's Class A Speedway, Buddy Robinson came nearer to home but could

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