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World Cup ICE Speedway Championship Round 10: Bank of America Center By (Above) The World Cup ICE Speedway Championship rolled Into Boise, Idaho's Bank of America Center for its 10th round. (Left) Anthony Barlow stayed in front to take the win and, in the bargain, pad his points lead in the series. (Below) The racing action was hot on the ice all night. DOUG KARCHER BOISE, 10, FEB. 20 r:1etween stops in Little Rock, ~Arkansas, and Nashville, Tennessee, The Energy Release Automotive Products World Cup ICE Speedway Championship wedged in a two-night appearance at the Bank of America Center in Boise, Idaho, thrilling the crowds with spectacular slides, plenty of close racing action and a few crashes. Once again, Merseyside, England's Anthony Barlow wheelied and slid his way to the overall win in the main event and, in doing so, padded his series points lead over Canadian Nick FaFard. David Meldrum of Edinburgh, Scotland, was a close second, with Vallejo, California's own Matt King taking third. Now in their 24th season, The World Cup ICE Speedway Championship series consists of 15 events, most of which are held east of the Mississippi. They are run on indoor ice arenas, so the racing is fast and close. "The series was developed with the concept of finding out who is the best indoor speedway ice racer in the world, and it's pretty much an open series," said Gary Densford, founder and organizer of the series. "We attract and draw riders from all over the world. We have individual champions at every city we go to, but most of the serious riders are after the championship points to be the overall World Cup ICE Speedway Champion. Riders come from all over the world, with [riders from] England, Scotland, South Africa, Canada and the U.S. making up the field." These riders compete aboard Jawas with hardened screws drilled into the knobs and, like any other speedway bikes, no brakes. Friday night featured exhibition racing, with no series points awarded. On Saturday night, the format consisted of 30 MARCH 8, 2000' II: U II: I 11 heat races of four laps each, with four riders. Racers were awarded 10 points for a win, five for second, three for third and one point for fourth. The racers could ride up to two heats, after which the top three points earners transferred to the main. The lastchance qualifier gave three more riders a trip to the six-lap main event. There was no shortage of action and excitement as the brakeless bikes wheelied off the start line and immediately pitched it sideways into the first turn. The slides were spectacular, with the front row of spectators frequently receiving showers of ice. It is surprising how much traction these bikes actually get and how relatively few crashes there are. The first heat on Saturday night featured some of the best racing of the weekend. Matt King jumped out in front of Barlow in the first turn and held on for the win, forcing Barlow to race (lmd win) another heat to secure his spot in the main. With only the top three riders from .... ,. .... _s the heats transferring to the main, and three more spots up for grabs, the four-lap last-chance qualifier ended up being a pretty exciting race. Eight riders lined up in two rows. Four short laps later, Compton, Cartwright and Hermant were on their way to join the others on the starting line for the main. To no one's surprise, when the tape went up on the main, Barlow jumped out in front, never to be bested. However, it was anything but an easy win for the "British Bulldog," as Meldrum and King challenged him hig'h and low, all the way to the checkered flag. "I've been riding the speedway in England, but I'm not as good on the dirt as I am on the ice," said Barlow, the 26-year-old 1999 Champion and current series points leader. "I act~al Iy gave up the speedway last year [due to] illness, and I have just been concentrating on the ICE Speedway. It was my first year last year; I did 24 races and made the podium 23 times, including five wins. I had a few bike problems at the start [of this year's series]; My bike broke down; ignition trouble; I missed a main and I was 50 points behind. I'm 62 points ahead right now. There are six points races to go - still a long way to go. You don't count your chickens before they hatch. Anything can happen." After the trophies were awarded, the racers stayed on the ice, making their way around the sides of the arena, handing out posters, signing autographs and talking with the spectators. Densford says that the plan is to return next year. Judging from the crowd, there will be no shortage of spectators. eN Bank of America Center Boise, Idaho Results; February 20, 2000 [Round 10J CIA: 1. Anthony Barlow; 2. David Meldrum; 3. Matt King; 4. Nick FaFard; 5. Simon Cartwright; 6. Bill Hermant. World Cup ICE Speedway Championship Points Standings (After 10 of 15 rounds): 1. Anthony Barlow (387); 2. Nick FaFard (325); 3. Matt King (283); 4. Bevan Compton (240); 5. D~vid Meldrum (193); 6. Simon Cartwright (167); 7. Ronny Kemp (140); 8. Shawn Hurley (76); 9. Bill Hermant (76); 10. Dean Garrod (69).