Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

JR: 1. Dave Buob'(; 2. Josh Geweeke. ~rsan; 3. Tim 'ron Mustangs host Regional Qualifier By Angie Larocco BRIGHTON, MI, JUNE 21-22 The Iron Mustangs Motorcycle Club hosted riders from four area qualifiers at the two-day Mideast Regional AMA Quali- Steve Lucero won the Firecracker Derby speedway race at Inland Motorcycle Speedway. Here he leads Mike Faria. went to work on the inside while Orlandi went high. On the last lap, Orlandi cut to the outside to the checkers and a great win. Bast held on for the second over Linn and Martin. ick Geranio was up to the tasks of Division Two and handily won in fine fashion. Ken Thiebaud led Canadian Shawn Venables and Derek Dorrestyn to the checkers. Forme mini-kid Walt Bevins finally had a night work in his direction winning the Division Three show over Rick Swalley and Ted Scruggs with Dirty Ernie Morris, Sr., in for fifth. Results SCRATCH: 1. Paul Orlandi: 2. Bart Bast: 3. Pat Linn. HANDICAP: 1. John Volk; 2. Steve Martin; 3. Jim Sis.more. DIV TWO: 1. Nick Geranio; 2. Stu McDaniel; 3.Ken Thiebaud. DIV THREE: 1. Walt Bevins; 2. Rick Swalley; 3. Ted Scruggs. L.ucero wins Firecracker Derby Speedway By Scott Daloisio SAN BERNARDINO, CA, JULY 2 Steve Lucero captured his first major race of the 1986 season when he won the Firecracker Derby before a huge crowd at Inland Motorcycle Speedway. The race had been won the past two seasons by "Flyin' Mike" Faria and he came into the event as the 1986 favorite. The program wascondueted with a series of 20 qualifying heats followed by a four-lap main event for the top four point scorers. Alan "Crazy" Christian was the first of the pre-nice picks to draw blood when he passed Rob Pfetzing and went on to win event two. Faria placed second to Christian after having to fight his way past young Gary Hicks. Lucero won his first race of the night leading all the way over john Sandona. Sandona was close but could never quite mount a serious challenge. Lucero, sponsored by Shoei/ Maurice's Used Speedway Bikes/ STP/Cirello Racing/Kal-Gard on a Weslake, made it look easy in event six. He got a rocket gate and powered LiDto. a..commanding_lead_Wben ~ checkered £lag fell he took the win from Tim McCasland by a haJ£ straightaway. Sandona scored a big win over Christian in event seven with Faria beating a determined Ronnie Correy by four bikelengths to win event eight. Afer taking third in his first two rides Shawn McConnell split early leaders Gene Woods and Hicks to win event nine. Event 11 matched Faria off the pole with Lucero out of gate four. Faria got the gate and led through the first bend but as they came orr turn two Lucero got inside Faria. Faria then rode it hard into turn three and he almost mowed Faria down. Lucero maneuvered into the lead while Faria dropped to the back but Faria made a gallant charge. He worked the outside and almost caught the leader much to the delight of the crowd but he came into turn one too hard on the final lap and momentarily parked. That allowed Lucero to lead the remainder of the way. Round three ended with Christian taking his second win in three outings. Lucero came right back to meet Christian in event 13. Christian led it all the way with Lucero close behind. Lucero went to the cushion out of the final bend but he fell just inches short of passing the National Champion as the checkered nag fell. Faria and McConnell each won their round four rides and moved closer to the main. Faria took his final ride, putting him on 13 points. McConnell took second to Mark Dwyer in his last outing but it was still enough points to get him through. Christian finished last in Dwyer's win but his earlier riding left hirn on 11 points and safely qualified. Lucero ended his qualifying rides just as he started, with a win. That gave him a total of 14 points and the option of choosing his starting spot. Lucero took the pole for the main and he rocketed out to lead from Faria, Christian and McConnell. Faria tried the outside but he was gambling and he ended up a loser as Christian took second from him on lap two. Christian stayed within striking distance but couldn't make up the ground and he had to take second behind the hard-riding Lucero. Results MAIN: 1. Steve Lucero; __ .J...MiklLEa

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