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Wortd Cup ICE Speedway Cbampionsh·ps Ro d 1: San Angelo Calise m The Edge on the Ice By GARY DENSFORD SAN ANGELO, TX, JAN. 13 n enthusiastic crowd was on hand at the San Angelo Coliseum, anticipating a night of World Cup ice racing. They got their money's worth, as the world's top indoor speedway ice racers put on quite a shGlw. San Angelo was the opening points event of the 25th annual World Cup Series. Racing began with the first of two rounds of four-lap scratch heat races. Riders eam points based on their finish: 10 points for winning; five points for second; three points for third, and one point for finishing fourth. First through third place in total points transfer directly to the main event; fourth through ninth transfer to the last-chance qualifier. Bakersfield, California's Paul Hitchcock took an early lead in the first heat, only to be passed on the second lap by Shawn Hurley from Westminster, Colorado. Hurley, a third-year World Cup tour veteran, went on to win, with England's Dean Garrod finishing second, Brad Sauer (also from Bakersfield) placing third, and Hitchcock ending up last. Heat two matched up two of the sport's heavyweights: two-time and defending World Cup Champion Anthony Barlow from England, and multi-time ICE major-event champion Charlie "The Edge" Venegas from San Bernardino, California. Venegas had the outside starting position, with Barlow just to his inside. Venegas got a great start, beating everyone through the first turn. Barlow had to settle for third, behind his countryman Peter Boast. Before the first lap was complete, Rob Cooling (also from England) lost control and fell off, sliding hard into the crash pads. The race continued, with Barlow getting by Boast but una ble to catch Venegas. Santa Ana, California's John O'Neill won heat three after the race was stopped on the last lap. A major wreck took out Possum Cove, Louisiana's Wayne Jones and Scotland's Scoot Courtney on the last lap. The riders involved were uninjured. Alaska's Dave Carter avoided the crash to finish second. The fourth and final heat of the first round was won by Quebec, Canada's Nick FaFard. He led from the tape to the checkered, with Bolton, England's James Mann, Florisant, Colorado's Cameron A 25th ANNUAL WORLD CUP ICE SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Round 6 CALIFORNIA VS THE WORLD FRI Ii !lilT NITES • FEB 23 Ii 24 • Ipm BAKERSFIELD CENTENNIAL GARDEN. BAKERSFIELD, CA February 17 Lubbock Municipal Coliseum - Lubbock, TX February 23-24 Bakersfield centennial Garden, Bakersfield, CA March 2-3 The E Center - san Lake City, UT March 10 Alltel Arena - Unle Rock, AR March 16-17 The Alliant Center - Madison, WI March 21 Utica Memorial Auditorium - Utica, NY March 23-24 Huntington Civic Arena - Huntington, W VA March 25 BI-LO Center - Greenville, SC cue I _ tic TOWER RECORDS J ROBINSONS • MAY • WHEREHOUSE MUSIC J TU MUSICA J RrrMO LATINO aa.ECT L0CA1'IC)NlI (661) 322-2525 ONLINE: www.ticketmaster.com n __ S • FEBRUARY 14, 2001 45