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Hot Harley Nights Lodi Cycle Bowl STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN GOULD LODI, CA, AUG. 24 odi Cycle Bowl and District 36 hosted the fifth annual Hot Harley Nights event, a cooperative race sponsored by the California Valley Stockton Chapter of the Harley Owner's Group, which was chartered in 1988. The Hot Harley Nights event was the brainchild of Walt Givens of Stockton, California, five years ago, and is made possible by many families and businesses that were approached by CVSC and the Lodi Motorcycle Club for donations. This year's event paid more than $10,000 in prize money, spread among the top 12 riders in the A and B main events. The generosity of those families and businesses, and of Coors Beer, CVSC and Lodi Cycle Bowl, made this the successful event that it is, and is much appreciated. Scratch heats were the first races of the day for placement in the heat races and the Dash For Cash. The winners of the Scratch heats were Lonnie Pauli, Michelle Di Salvo, Danny Casey, Casey Yarrow, Matt Proto and Jeremy Hannah. Danny Casey and his dad take a victol')' lap around the track after winning the A main event at Lodl Cycle Bowl's fifth annual Hot Hartey Nights event. There were six main heat winners Casey, Pauli, Sanchez, Yarrow, Proto and Mark Corsetti - all earning a spot on the first row of the A main. Two semis ran for placement in the main event's second row. The first three of each semi went directly to the second row of the A main, while the next six went to the B main. As the preliminaries narrowed down the field to the night's top riders, the mounting off riders on his way up to a third-place finish, behind Riddle and Andrews. Moving right into the B main, Marty Weisler led the pack into turn one, but Rick Hocking quickly moved into the lead. Behind him, Tony Souza moved into the second spot and went in pursuit of the lead, while further back in the pack, Di Salvo was working her way up. Souza worked hard to get by Hocking, get- Pauli. It looked like a repeat of the start of the Dash For Cash earlier in the evening. Casey pulled slightly away from the pack, but Sanchez rode within a bike's length behind him, and Pauli closed the gap between himself and Sanchez. Riding at a smooth and fast pace turn after turn, Casey didn't falter. The race finished with Casey ahead of Sanchez and Pauli. After taking the checkers, KC Racing Team/Precision Machining/A&A Racing Products/Rab Racing Products/Cycle Gear's Casey came back to take his victory lap with his father, Bob, carrying the flag. Casey started riding at 10 and is now 18 and has graduated from high school. Believing that his son's schooling was as important as his riding, Casey's dad required him to maintain a C average; if he fell short - as he did, on some occasions - he couldn't ride until he brought his grades up. The elder Casey mentioned that they had been working hard to get this bike ready for this special event. Their efforts paid off this evening, as they went home with the largest prize of the night, $1575. Sharing in the excitement of this night at the track was another of Casey's sponsors, Rodman Custom Dezignz. eN Danny Casey (3J leads Lonnie Paull (3), Matt Proto (31) and Jesse Sanchez (58) coming out of tum one in the Dash For Cash. Sanchez got by Casey for the $400. Heat races were followed by the Dash For Cash. Dashing for that cash was Danny Casey, who went into turn one in the lead, with Jessie Sanchez, Proto and Pauli working hard for the second spot. Casey rode hard in the first spot, while Sanchez and Proto got by Pauli. Sanchez worked his way around Casey for the victory and the $400 cash. 50 SEPTEMBER 25, 2002' cue excitement could be felt among both riders and spectators. Rab Racing Products donated an unexpected cash prize for the C main event. Coming into the first turn in this race was Stewart Barber Jr., followed by Riddle Racing-backed Greg Riddle and Ed Andrews. Further back in the pack, Jimmy Abrams of A&A Racing worked his way through the traffic. One by one, Abrams picked n __ s I • ting under him coming out of turn two. Di Salvo continued her drive, getting past Hocking and finishing this race in second place, behind Souza, and followed by Hocking and Nick Moore. The A Main had the crowd on the edge of the seats. This race included the fastest and most competitive riders of the night. Casey got the lead in this one, followed by Sanchez and llldi Cycle Bowl llldi, Califomi. Results: August 24, 2002 A: 1. Denny Casey; 2. Jesse Sllnchez; 3. Lonnie Pauli: 4. Mark Corsetti; 5. Tony Souza; 6. Scooter Vernon: 7. Matt Proto; 8. Mlitt Proto; 9. MIckey Lane; 10. Robert Bacasa; 11. eesey Yerrow; 12. Kevin Bricker. B: 1. Tony Souza; 2. Michelle 01 Selva; 2. Rick Hocking; 4. Nick Moore; 5. Shawn Raggio; 6. Junya Kano; 7. Kenny Carlotta; 8. Eric Turner; 9. Derrick Ohls; 10. Jeremy Hannah; 11. Marty Weisler; 12. Jesse Sanchez; 13. MeerJ Bernett. c: 1. Stewart Barber Jr.; 2. Greg Riddle; 3. Jemes Abrams; 4. Ed Andrews; 5. J. Hennah: 6. James Lewis. DFC: I. Jessie Sanchez; 2. Danny Casey.