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Saavedra pressed Mellgren and finished an
impressive second, behind Mellgren. Scott
Gamer garnered third. with Ayumn Takeichi in
fourth.
As for the Expert Stock contest. Saavedra
could do no better than third, chasing Josh
Herrin in first and Mellgren in second. Michael
Beck followed in fourth.
Central Illinois Motorcycle Club HC
Creek Runs Fast
at Neoga
By Buo NORTHRUP
Resuhs
wi!
BEG STK: I. laJshabpem Vu; 2. Ki", Taylor, 3. Jason Wong; 4.
Daly: 5. Tony Vaughn.
BEG MOO: 1. Randy R05S; 2. Jm Freeman: 3 Jeff f'\arquMdt 4.
Tony Bishop: 5. Alex Anastas.
AM STK: I. Kyle Ferns: 2. Tomo Kobayashi: 3. Kendlll1 Crabtree;
4. Vasuyo KanlllYlllN; 5. Thorn Boswell.
AM. F·50~ I. Tommy Aquino; 2. Kyle Ferri,: 3. Allin Monenson:
4. Fred Salinas: 5. Kendoll CnJbtree.
AM f·GP: I B.J. Prinve: 2. Tommy Aquino: 3. Troy Azmoon: 4.
Ji Yarber. 5. Kyh! Ftrl'il.
EX STK: I Josh Herrin: 2. l«lnard Mellgren: 3. Damian Saavedra: 4. Michael BKk: 5. Ayumu Takeichi.
EX F·50~ I. Josh Herrin: 2. l.e'9h Crllwford: 3. Bl1IdI~ Adams:
4. Scott Gamer: 5. Ayumu Tllkelchl.
EX F-GP: I. Josh H~: 2. Jason Van Slyke; 3. Leonllrd Mellgren: 4. Andrew Bames; 5. Rick Lasch.
VET STK: I. Leonard Mellgren; 2. Damian Saavedra; 3. Scott
Gamer; 4. Ayumu Takelchl: 5. Ja$On Van Slyke.
VET MOO: I. leonard Mellgren: 2. Jason Van Slyke; 3. B.J.
Prince: 4. Andrew Barnes: 5. leigh Crawford.
SR STK: t. Tommy Crawford: 2. Nick Tierno; 3. Thorn Boswell:
4. Leonard Mellgren.
SR MOO: I. leonard Mellgren; 2. B.J. Prince: 3. Ji Yarber; 4.
Tommy Crawford.
F·THNOR: I. Leigh Crawford: 2. Mike Geiger: 3. Bradley Adams;
4. Tommy Crawford; 5. Rllndy Ross.
AM 80 GP: I. Mlchllel Summer; 2. Paul Daly.
EX 80 GP: 1. Leonard Mellgren: 2. Kaz Chiba; 3. Michael BKk;
4. Damian Suvedra; 5. Ayumu Takekhi.
Fast Fridays Speedway
Faria Flies
on Full Moon Friday
By M. SoBER
AUBURN, CA, MAY 16
Three-time United States National Speedway
Champion "Flyin' Mike" Faria drew the
inside-pole starting position for the second
consecutive week, but, unlike the previous
week, he came away with the Fast Fridays
Scratch main -event victory.
"Last week, I just spun off that inside,"
Faria recounted, "but this week, I found the
traction, and. well. you saw what happened."
What happened was that Faria got just a
smidgen of a lead in the first tums, which he
boldly worked into an advantage that held up
to the checkered Rag.
The lineup for the night's last and most talent-laden event was much the same as it had
been on opening night a week earlier. Faria
had the number-one slot, Bobby "The Blaze"
Hedden was In lane two, and Bart "Simpson"
Bast was in lane three. Bryan Yarrow rolled
into the last outside lane, which Bast had
occupied the week prior. After a quick and
very even start, Faria, Hedden and Bast all
found themselves in close proximity, as they
started the race three-abreast. with Faria
slightiy in front. Once the three sorted themselves out, just ahead of the closely trailing
Yarrow, the predictable track conditions took
over, and Faria managed to ride mistake-free
to the win. Hedden stayed close, as did Bast,
but they were forced to settle for second and
third on the worn-out surface.
Although the Scratch main is the most
prestigious event of any Speedway evening,
the Division One Youth finale was arguably
the most exciting five laps of the gorgeous
Auburn night, which was illuminated by a full
moon. Fifty-yard starter and current and twotime Junior Champion T.J. Fowler swapped
the lead with 40-yard Junior veteran Danny
Easley throughout their event, with Fowler
taking the lead when Easley's excessive speed
took him wide coming off the last corner.
Early leader Alex Marcucci, who was in the
center of the Fowler/Easley sandwich on a
couple of occasions, finished a respectable
third.
Ricky Felicio dominated the Division Two
Youth main. and Ronnie Woodsford came
from the 50-yard line to capture the Division
Three main for the second consecutive week.
In round one of the Elimination Challenge
Series, Hedden outdistanced Faria to "Place
himself in the Challenge Championship, which
will take place on August 22. Faria, Bast,
Yarrow and Tommy Hedden will all have four
more chances throughout the season to place
themselves in the lucrative final.
In Division Three competition, yet another
offspring of 1985 U.S. National Speedway
Champion Alan Christian won a main event.
FollOWing in his brother Richard's footsteps,
Robert Christian outlasted the competition to
92
JUNE 1a, 2003'
cue
e
Fast Fridays Speedway: Mike Faria (9) leads Bobby Hedden (301) and Bryan Yarrow (8) in
the Scratch main event under the full moon in Auburn, California.
take the top D3 spot, ahead of Guy Jessop
and 20-yard handicapper Kelly McBain.
Richard has moved up to Division One this
season, and he won the Handicap Consolation
event, in front of veterans Chad Felicio and
Bobby Hedden. The Handicap main was taken
by veteran Jim Estes, who finished just ahead
of the two Barts - Bast and Bardecki.
SCR: I. Mike Feria (OM): 2. Bobby Hedden (GM): 3. Bart Bast
(Jaw); 4. Bryan Yarrow (Jaw).
HOCP: 1. Jim Estes (Jew); Z. Ban Best (Jaw); 3. Bart Bardeckl
(Jaw); 4. Mike Faria (OM); 5. G~ Hooton Jr. (Jaw).
D2: 1. Davkl Fonts (Jaw); Z. Marit Carrillo (Jaw); 3. Ron Woods·
"""{Jowl.
03: I. Robert Christien (Jaw); 2. Guy Jes.sop (Wes); 3. Kelly
McBane (Jaw).
01 YTH: l. T.J. Fowler (Jaw): Z. DaMy Easley (Jaw); 3. Aiel(
Marcucci (Jaw).
02 YTH: I. Ricky fdicio (Wes); 2. Jay D. Rickeu (Wes): 3. Tom
Fuhrman (Wes).
03 YrH: 1. Ronnie Woodsford (Wes): 2. Tori Hubbard (Hon); 3.
Mike Bray (Hon).
Isanti County Fairgrounds
Laubersheimer
Shines in Cambridge
By DAN BROTEN
CAMBRIDGE, MN, MAY 17
Chris Laubersheimer of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, rode his Honda to victory in both the
125cc A and Open Amateur classes at the
Cambridge short-track event. He also placed
second in the 250cc A class. Laubersheimer
has been honing his dirt-track skills all winter
at the MotoDome indoor series. and also
attended American Supercamp and the Bubba
Shobbert Dirt Track School, and he put in
many practice laps during the May 4 practice
day at the Cambridge short track. His hard
work paid off with these wins at the first outdoor dirt track of the season. The victory in
the Open Amateur class was very impressive,
ahead of Honda-mounted Kevin Anderson and
Yamaha rider Jake Mataya. The three youngsters put on a good show. Laubersheimer will
be a contender in the Minnesota District 23
points races again this year.
In Open Pro action, Kurt Boehlke took his
KTM to the front with a midrace pass on Eric
Brouhard that caused Brouhard to fall in turn
three. The second position was firmly nailed
down by veteran Billy Hoffmeister, riding his
Rotax. Crown Funding·sponsored Willie
Broten diced with Yale, Oklahoma's Brian
Isbell for many laps, and Broten got by on lap
13 to take the third podium position. The two
were followed by Anderson, Troy Johnson,
Tim Ronnenberg and Brouhard. Johnson was
riding a borrowed YZ426 due to a cam-chain
problem with his 505cc C£.J Suzuki. Johnson
looked very strong in the heat race until his
motor went sour. He was offered a ride on the
Yamaha from Amateur rider Jim Brethorst for
the finals. and he went out and earned some
points. The eight Pro riders put on some spec-
n
e
vv
s
tacular riding on the excellent treck.
There were four double winners in the
night's program. including Cole Anderson,
Laubersheimer, Jonethan Zeismer and
Richard Waschek. Several of them came close
to the hat trick.
Fans were treated to a spectacular fire on
the back straight after a first-lap crash in the
Vintage Twin class left a lot of fuel on the
track. The track-maintenance crew lit it off,
and the flames and smoke were at least 20
feet high. It qUickly bumed down, and the race
was restarted, with Eddy Hampe taking the
win.
On Track Promotions did an excellent job
with everything from sign-up to track prep.
Many riders really liked the track after the sun
went down and the moisture ceme up-:- Promoter Robert Anderson worked for several
days prepping the track with his secret formu·
la. Veteran rider Pat Fargen, who makes the
trip to Cambridge from Viola. Wisconsin. commented. "This is the best I have ever seen the
track."
The trophies awarded were very big, and
many riders had positive comments about
them. There were more than 150 entries and
34 heat races, making this the biggest collection of dirt trackers at a Minnesota race in a
long time.
Results
50 OIL-INJ: I. Cole Anderson (KTM): 2. Dustin Paul (Yam); 3.
TravIs Matheson (Yllm); 4. Zach letendll! (Yam); 5. Brandon Moyer
(Yam).
50 MICRO CHAIN: 1. Cole Anderson (KTM); 2. Brandon fl\oyer
(Yam); 3. lach Letmdre (Yam); 4. Travis Matheson (Yam); 5. Bran·
don Brunet (Yllm).
65 MINI: I. Dustin Paul (Kaw): 2. Jordan Schleicher (Kaw); 3.
Bryce Brethont (Kaw); 4. Charlotte Moms (Kew); 5. Lecy I..etendre
(Soa).
85 MINI: I. Jonathan Ziesmer (Hon); 2. Conner Andenon (Suz):
3. Nkholas Mataya (Yam): 4. Jory Moms (Kaw): 5. Eddy Hampe
(Yam).
80 OPEN: l...Jonathan Ziesmer (Hon); 2. Jory Morris (Kew); 3.
Conner Ander&on (Suz): 4. Nicholas Malaya (Yam); 5. Lacy LNendre
(Soa).
BEG: 1. Kevin Woizt$cke: 2. Malt Gamble (Yam); 3 Peter
Pupeza (Yam); 4. Lee Ganske (Vam). 5. CUM Ldgren (Hon).
STK FRM.: I. David Engler (H· D); 2. Trevis Wa$dlek (Yam): 3.
Jim Br@thorst(Yam):4.Pl!terPupeza (Yam); 5. Anthony Radloff
V!NT SGL: I. Richard Waschek (Yam); 2. Dave Koch (Hon): 3.
Patrick Farg@n (Yam); 4. Adam Schmidt (Hon): 5. Larry Sparks
(Yam).
V!NT 1W~ 1. Ed Hampe (Yam); 2. John Ronnenberg (Yam): 3.
Dave Koch (Hen); 4. Ronald Leeman (BSA); 5. Jon Markuson (Yam).
125 A: I. Chris Laubershl!lmef (Han): 2. Stevl! Bauman (Yam);
3. Darick ~arson (Kaw); 4. Curtis Lofgren (Hon): 5. Jacob SchleICher
(Yam).
2SO A: I. Troy SoInitrlty (Hon); 2. Chris Laubmheimer (Hon): 3.
Joshua Koch (Hon); 4. Travis Waschek (Yam); 5. Adam Schmidt
(Hon)
505 A: I. Kevin Anderson (Hon); 2. Jacob Mataya (Yam): 3.
Timothy Ronnenberg (Hen); 4. Charles Dahlheimer (Hen): 5. Troy
Loftis (Yam).
OPEN AM; I. Chris LIlubersh@imer (Hoo): 2. Kevin Anderson
(Hon); 3. Jacob Malllya (Yllm); 4. Cory Solniuky (ATK): 5. Tom lMl·
wig (Rot).
505 PRO: I. Willie Broten (Yam): 2. Kun Boehlke (KTM); 3. Troy
Johnson (Yom)
OPEN PRO: I. Kun Boehlke (KTM): 2. Billy Hoffmei!lter (Rot); 3.
Willie Broten (Yam): 4. Brian Isbell (ROI): 5. KevIn And@rson (Hon).
VET 40.. : 1. Richard Waschek (Yllm); 2. Charl@s DahlheImer
(Hon); 3. Joseph Bt:ntli@ld (Rot); 4. Crllig Abresch (Yam); 5. Troy
Loftis (Yam).
$R 40.. : I. Eric Brouhard (Rot): 2. Paul Anderson (Kaw); 3.
Richard Wa5Chek (Yam); 4. Michael Vogel (Yllm); 5. Mlch&el Bauer
(Yllm).
MSTR SO..: I. Greg Schmidt (BSA): 2. Larry Sparks (Yam): 3.
Dllve Koch (Hon); 4. Bob Kohner (Hon); 5. Jon Mllrkuson (Yam).
NEOGA, IL, MAY 17
Jon Creek picked up his first Fast Time award
of the young hillclimb season at the Central
Illinois Motorcycle Club's Saturday night climb
on May 17. The 33-year-old rider from Avon,
Indiana, made a come·from-behind ride to
take the 600cc-c1ass win and the Fast Time
award.
Creek crashed hard at 85 feet on his first
ride and needed a good ride just to make it
into the top five. Ron Todd flew his KX500
over the top in a sizzling 2.719 seconds
to take the class lead and was sitting on the
fast-time bubble until Creek unleashed his
Honda with a picture-perfect run over the
very steep and rough gO-foot ledge in 2.521
seconds on his second ride to take the win.
Butch "Fearless" Fetters had carded a good
2.774-second time on his first run and saw it
hoid up for third place. Sixteen-year-old Josh
Denson showed his stuff in the second round
with a 2.810-second time for fourth on his
KX500.
Matt Peters was a double-class winner,
taking the 450cc-c1ass win with a very good
2.853-second time on his KTM 380, with Paul
Hillard taking second on his Yamaha 350cc
twin. Peters' second win came in the 400cc
Stock class, where he rode his 400cc Yamaha
thumper to a 3.226-second win, with R.J.
Watson claiming second on his KX250.
Todd had a good night overall, as he took
another second in the Senior (Over 40) class
and the win in the Super Senior (Over 50)
class on his 1987 Kawasaki.
"Marvelous Mark" Peters beat Todd out of
the Senior-class win, turning a very good
2.721-second time on his KTM 550 to set the
time to beat in the first round. Todd, as
always, launched his KX500 at full throttle to
overtake Peters but crashed at only 46 feet
on his first ride. Bruised but still game, the
51 -year-old fanner from Ridge Fann. Illinois,
assaulted the hill again on his second ride and
nearly pulled it off, skying over the top in
2.792 seconds - just seven hundredths of a
second off the Peters' time.
Results
50 AUTO: 1. Logan Moody (Pol); 2. Grllham Comwtll (Hen); 3.
Garrett Holycross (Sw:); 4. Matt Goeken (Yam): 5. Jef@mlllh Lyday
(Cob).
65: I. Nick Green (KTM); 2. Jake Wood (Kaw); 3. Joe McGu~r
(Kaw); 4. Drew DanIels (KTM); 5. MIlIt Goeken (Kaw).
85 JR: 1. Shane Gre@n (Yam): 2. Blake CoppeJlo (Kllw); 3. Chris
Peters (Yam); 4. Joe McGull!r (Kaw); 5. Dylan Brlldy (Hon).
85 SR: I. Cody Rankin (Sur-I: 2. Mike Popham (Yom); 3. Kevin
Bond (Kaw); 4. Steve1\ JO@ Well~ (Kllw): 5. Nick Burke (Kaw).
125: I. Billy Hon@s (Hon): 2. Josh Denson (Hon); 3. Josh
Ming@e(Hon);4. Brent Bow-man (Hon); 5. Alan Petty (Yam).
200: 1. Jake Tllckitt (Kaw); 2. Gordon Grl!en (Kawl: 3. Mike
Peters (Kaw).
250: I. Jared McKay (Yam); 2. Kevin Cappello (Yom): 3. Jon
Clftk (Sw.); 4. Butch Fettef1 (Hon); 5. Matt Peters (Hen).
450: 1. Matt Pl!ters (KTM); 2. Paul Hltlllrd (Yam); 3. Mike Peters
(Suz).
600: I. Jon Clftlt (Hon); 2. Ron Todd (Kaw): 3. Butch Fd:l.efS
(Kaw); 4. Josh Denson (Kaw); 5. Paul lowe (Kew).
600 4·STRK: I. Butch Felten (KTM); 2. Curt Randall (Yam); 3.
Jerril Jones (Kaw).
750: 1. Scott ~ (Yern): 2. Paul Hillard (Kaw).
OPEN: L Randy Green (H·D): Z. Steve Shafer (H· 0); 3. R.D.
Miller n(H·D).
SR: I. Mark Peters (KTM); 2. Ron Todd (Kaw): 3. Scott Petty
(Hon); 4. Kevin McKay (!

