Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Densford was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. The LCQ was scored from the white flag, sending Mann, McNeil and Hermant to the main. The now-somber ice racers lined up for the main. Being human, their concern for their injured comrade may have had an effect on their racing, though racers don't generally talk about such things. The main event was won by Barlow, who started from the pole and led from wire to wire. FaFard finished second, with Mann third, MeNeil fourth, Hermant fifth and Kemp sixth. There was no passing after the first turn. Densford spent five days in intensive care and underwent three hours of delicate surgery to remove his shattered right kidney. He also suffered two fractured lower vertebrae; these injuries were considered nonthreatening and will hopefully heal naturally. The prognosis for a complete recovery is very good. Trauma doctors said that had Densford not been wearing his back protector, his internal injuries most likely would have been muc:;)1 worse, with spinalcord injuries a strong possibility. eN The Lakeland Center: Brent Densford was seriously Injured while contesting the LCa at the fifth round of the 26th annual World Cup ICE Speedway Championship Series in Lakeland, Florida. Heat three was a five-man race, with plenty of passing. When the snow had cleared, Bill Hermant from Sparks, Nevada, had earned the victory; Conway, South Carolina's Brent Densford was second; David Speight from Dublin, Ireland, was third; David Haigue from Cardiff, Wales was fourth; and Taylors, South Carolina's Robert Arms finished last. The second round of heats were won by Barlow, FaFard and Mann. The front row of the main event would have Barlow, Kemp and FaFard. The last-chance qualifier would determine the back row. The back row of the LCQ had Beveridge, Densford and Painter; Hermant, Mann and McNeil were on the front row. When the tapes went up, it looked like six New York taxi cabs trying to get to the same customer at the same time. Somehow the number-six starter, Painter, got into pole-starter Hermant and they both wiped out as they exited the first turn. The race was stopped. Both riders were shaken, with Hermant getting the worst of it. They both wanted to participate in the restart. This time, cooler heads prevailed in that first turn. Mann held a strong lead going into the last lap, with McNeil unchallenged in second. The real race was for that third and final transfer spot. Beveridge had it, but on the final lap he suddenly spun out; his machine stood up on the rear wheel, launching toward Painter, who, along with Densford, was trying to pass on the outside to avoid Beveridge's flying bike. The riderless bike hit Painter, sending him crashing into the wall. Simultaneously, Densford, seeing a possible way to avoid the crash and transfer, grabbed a handful of throttle, attempting to square his machine off to make the turn and head for the checkers. Instead, his machine stood up, hooked up and shot into the wall at high speed. The resulting impact was arguably the most violent ever seen in World Cup competition. The race was immediately red-flagged. The wounded Painter was able toleave the'ice under his own power. 74 FEBRUARY 27, 2002' cue ......dCelll:llr La....., Floridll IlesuIts: ........, 28, ZDIZ [bad 51 HEAT 1: 1. Anthony Bartow; 2. Nick FllFllrd; 3. Neil Painter. HEAT 2: 1. Ronny Kemp; 2. Robbie McNeil: 3. Will Beveridge. HEAT 3: 1. Bill Herment; 2. Brent Densford; 3. David Speight. HEAT 4: 1. Anthony Barlow; 2. Will Beveridge; 3. Nell Peinter. HEAT 5: 1. Nlek FaFord; 2. Robbie McNeil; 3. DavId Htligue. HEAT 6: 1. James Mllnn; 2. Ronny Kemp; 3. Bill Hemumt. LCQ: J. Nick FoFard: 2. BlII Herm"nt; 3. Shawn Hurtey; 4. Brent Densford; 5. David Speight. MAIN: I. Anthony Barlow; 2. Nick FeFerd; 3. James Mann; 4. Robbie McNeil; 5. Bill Herment. WORLD COP I.C.E. SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP SERJES POINTS STANDINGS (After 5 of 11 rounds): I. Anthony Barlow (222): 2. Nick FoFard (200); 3. James Menn (153); 4. Neil Pelnter (81); 5. Ronny Kemp (75); 6. Robbie McNeil (73); 7. Bill Hermenl (68); 8. Will Beveridge (63); 9. Shown Hurley (GO); 10. David Speight (41). Saddleback Motorsports Part<: Jared Wilson won the first Intermediate contest at the brand-new version of Saddleback Motorsports Park in Silverado, California. Saddleback Motorsports Park Southland showed up for riding, testing, prac-' Saddleback Back in the Saddle Again tieing and, yes, racing: four single-event races By JOHN BETHEA SILVERADO, CA, JAN. 21 After more than a decade and a half, motocross has retumed to Saddleback Motorsports Park - albeit at a new location less than two miles from the old site. However, it's Sad- dleback Motorsports Park just the same, and it's just dripping with both new and familiar flavors for those who recall the old track. On this day, the facility, situated near the banks of Irvine Lake in the back hills of Silverado, Califomia, was hosting a dealer day of fun riding put together by Hylton Beattie of Parts Unlimited. Riders from all over the on the fully prepped motocross track, complete with a temporary starting gate and P.A. system, thanks to the efforts of Stu Peters ofCMC. "We held the very last race at the old track back in 1986 at a Trans-Cal on a Sunday, and, the next morning the county marshals came. out and padlocked the gates," recalled Peters, CEO of the racing organization that was started back in 1967. "It feels good to be involved, with the first new one 16 years later." Will there be actual scheduled events here on a regular basis? "'We hope so," said Brad Etter, the new ' owner of the land-use lease permit awarded to the site on a temporary basis. "'Everything is, on a short-term basis at present, but negotia-) tions have gotten us this far, and we hope the.. opportunities will continue to grow." Craig Davis dominated the first event at- the new site, winning both the Pro and Vet classes and taking his place in the history books. Brett Sarive topped the Old-Timers. Jerad Wilson won the Intermediate contest, and Brian Calma was the Beginner winner. Kyle Walgamotte won the 60cc class, Jimmy) Mills won the 80cc class, and Ryan Butts was victorious in the Junior class. Results 60: I.Kyle WlIlgomottl! (KTM): 2. Andrew Brittany Kelly (Suz). Sltvers~in (!

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