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Spring Classic Costa Mesa Speedway By ELAINE JONES PHOTOS BY MIKE BASSO COSTA MESA, CA, APRIL 12 other Nature hesitated just enough to let the Spring Classic at the Orange County Fairgrounds run the full program. "Gorgeous" Gary Hicks is on the upswing, as he parlayed his third-place finish at the National to an opening-night victory in the Scratch main event. Eric Carrillo came down from Northern California and took the win on the Handicap side of the program. The first semi on the Scratch side of the program saw the pole go to Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell. "Fast" Ed Castro lined up in two, with Randy "The Rocket" DiFrancesco in three. Scott Brant was on the outside in four. Brant got the holeshot, with his teammate Castro a close second. DiFrancesco tried to make a race of it, but there was no denying Brant and Castro, and they were headed to the main. DiFrancesco and McConnell would get another shot in the lastchance qualifier. The second semi had "Cowboy" Bobby Krips on the pole, with "Flyin'" Mike Faria in two and Hicks in three. Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz was on the outside. In this one, it was the veterans showing the youngsters how it's done, as Faria went out on top, "Gorgeous" Gary Hicks did it the hard way, but in the end he was victorious in the Scratch main event at the Spring Classic at Costa Mesa Speedway. and Faria was in three, with Schwartz and Brant on the outside. Hicks read the gate and went off on top, with Castro on his rear fender. Things heated up as the white flag came out. Faria found his way by Castro on the inside and took over second. Brant was on the move, and he also found the line around Castro and took over third. No one was going to catch Hicks, though, and he took the checkered flag. It was closer between Faria and Brant, but the nod went to Faria for second. Castro and Schwartz rounded out the field. Those making it to the Handicap main represented both Northern and Southern California. Carrillo and under Carrillo and ended up taking They had better watch out, though, him out. Though he took the check- as their brother Joe and his fiancee ered flag, the referee deemed DiFrancesco to be the cause of the Brandi McElroy are going to give them a run for their money. red-flag incident, and the win went to Justin Boyle, who made quite a Carrillo, while DiFrancesco was dis- mark as a Junior Speedway rider, qualified. McConnell was second, and took his first ride on the bigger bikes Brant was third. Dan and Chris Jones showed the and showed he will be a rider to be reckoned with, as he won the Support folks why they wear the number-one main. Steve Murray and Doug Ben- plate as they took the Sidecar main. jamin were second and third. Support B honors went to Greg Searle, with Michael Novratil and Nathan Smelser second and third, respectively. eN Casta Mesa Speedway Casta Mesa, California Results: April 1Z, Z003 (Left) Erie Carrillo (75) leads Chris Kerr (27) and Bryan Yarrow (8) en route to the Handicap main-event win In Costa Mesa, Califomia. (Below) There was no keeping up with the Jones boys - brothers Dan and Chris - In the Sidecar event. with Schwartz in second. They would Chris Kerr were on the 20-yard line. finish in that order in the quick four- DiFrancesco and Bryan Yarrow lapper. Faria and Schwartz advanced shared the 30. The 40 had a full to the main, and Krips and Hicks house, with Faria, McConnell, Brant headed to the LCQ. and Hicks. Carrillo got off to a great Hicks was on the pole as they start and put some distance on the lined up for the LCQ. Next to him was field, but it didn't take more than a McConnell. DiFrancesco and Krips lap before DiFrancesco was knocking were in three and four. It was gate, race and transfer to Hicks, and he on his back door. He also had Brant would be the final man in the Scratch the action. The Northern California and McConnell looking for a piece of youngster kept his cool and the lead, main. Castro, who is more comfortable but things went wrong on the white- on the outside, drew the pole for the flag lap: As he and DiFrancesco hit main event. Hicks loaded into two, turn three, DiFrancesco tried to go n e _ s 44 APRIL 30, 2003' cue I e SCR: 1. Gary Hicks (JlIW); 2. Mike Faria (Jaw); 3. Scott Brant (GM); 4. Eddie C.stro (GM): 5. Bobby Schwartz (Jaw). HDCP: 1. Eric CllIrrillo (Jew); 2. Shawn McConnell (OM): 3. Scott Brent (OM): 4. Chris Kerr (Jaw); 5. Mike Faria (Jaw); 6. Gery Hicks (Jaw); 7. Bryan Yarrow (Jaw); 8. Randy DiFrancesco (Jaw). SOeR: 1. Dan Jones/Chris Jones (Yam); 2. Joe Jones/Brandi McElroy (Kaw); 3. Mike Fontaine/ James Herr (Yam); 4. Jeff Medberry/J. Malloy (Yam). SUP: I. Justin Boyle (Jaw); 2. Steve Murray (Jaw); 3. Doug Benjamin (Jaw); 4. Dave Delbridge (Wes); 5. Scott T;dwell (Jaw). sap B: 1. Greg Searle (Jaw); 2. Michae:l Navratil (JllW); 3. Nathan Smelser (JllW); 4. Tom Rossano (Jaw); 5. Brian Baichtal (Jaw).