LONG BEACH, California – An historic gathering of America’s past World Champions in the sport of Speedway motorcycle racing will take place here on Sunday, January 29, aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary ocean liner.
The Inaugural Team USA Speedway Testimonial will feature a lavish brunch and Honoree Ceremony recognizing the six American Speedway greats who have won Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) individual world championships, followed by a memorabilia auction to benefit Team USA Speedway’s 2006 efforts in FIM World Championships.

Since the FIM World Speedway Championship was created in 1936, five American riders – the late Jack Milne (’37), Bruce Penhall (1981-82), Sam Ermolenko (’93), Billy Hamill (’96) and Greg Hancock (’97) -- have captured the sport’s top prize – and in 1983 Shawn Moran became America’s only FIM Long Track Champion.
All of the Speedway champions will attend the event, and the machine on which Jack Milne became America’s first-ever world motorcycling champion will be displayed in memory of the pioneer of American motorcycle sport who passed away in 1995 at age 88.

This is thought to be the first time that all of the surviving American Speedway World Champions will make a joint appearance, and the occasion will be marked by production of a limited-edition group portrait.
The champions will pose for the photo with Milne’s 1937 championship machine and will autograph 125 numbered prints that will be offered for sale to Speedway enthusiasts and memorabilia collectors. No other prints of the photo will be authorized and all digital images from the photo shoot will be destroyed after the exclusive, one-time run of 125 prints has been produced Jack Milne’s historic machine is being provided by Gary and Sandy Hicks of Riverside, California. Mrs. Hicks is Milne’s niece and the daughter of the late Cordy Milne, who was also a Speedway racing star and whose racing achievements included four US National Championships.

Noted motorsports announcers Terry “Ike” Clanton and Bruce Flanders, both fixtures on the Speedway racing scene, will donate their services for the 2006 Team USA Speedway Testimonial. Flanders will be Master of Ceremonies for the Honoree Ceremony and Clanton will be the lead auctioneer.

“We’re confident that the Speedway racing community will want to be on hand for this unique gathering of champions and to support Team USA Speedway,” said event organizer Bill Amick, who serves as Team USA Speedway Manager. “From our announcers to Jack Milne’s family and from our great champions to a cast of special guests that we’ll announce soon, people are showing tremendous generosity and commitment to Team USA Speedway.

“The signed and numbered portraits are sure to become collector’s items,” Amick added, “and they represent just a portion of the great items that will be up for bid in the memorabilia auction.

American teams have won five FIM Team World Championships and three FIM Best Pairs titles, the most recent in 1998. Those championships have since been consolidated into a single event, the FIM Speedway World Cup, which America has yet to capture. Team USA bowed out of the 2005 competition in the first round, missing a transfer by a single position.
Proceeds from the 2006 Team USA Speedway Testimonial will be used to defray the cost of participation in the 2006 FIM Speedway World Cup and also to assist individual American entries in the FIM World Junior Speedway Championships and Speedway Grand Prix Qualifiers.

The Team USA Speedway Testimonial event offers a wide range of sponsorship opportunities to companies involved in Speedway racing, and enthusiast sponsorship packages will also be available. A private welcome dinner for the event’s honorees and sponsors will be held on Saturday evening, and Sunday’s Honoree Brunch and AMA-sanctioned memorabilia auction will be open to the public.

“We have a long tradition of success in FIM Track Racing championships and we’re pleased to lend support to AMA’s Team USA Speedway and join the Speedway community in honoring our past world champions,” said American Motorcyclist Association President Robert Rasor, who also serves as Vice President of the FIM.

“Enthusiasts can really make a difference for Team USA Speedway by attending the testimonial activities on January 29, donating items for the memorabilia auction and purchasing the limited-edition portraits.”

Enthusiasts and collectors who are interested in more information about the 2006 Team USA Speedway Testimonial, about providing auction items, or about attending the auction as buyers are asked to contact Heartland Media & Events by phone at (740) 397-1647 or email to teamusaspeedway@yahoo.com.

News updates will also be posted at www.HeartlandMedia.info.

Heartland Media & Events LLC provides media relations, editorial and consulting services to a variety of clients, with emphasis on international motorcycle sport.

October 3, 2005
News Release SP 7-05
Contact: Heartland Media & Events
billamick@earthlink.net

Venerable AMA Title on the Line

AUBURN , California – The most venerable championship in all of American motorcycle racing will be decided Saturday night (October 8) in the final round of the 2005 AMA National Championship Speedway Series at Fast Fridays Speedway, located at the Gold Country Fairgrounds.

Five riders remain in contention for the championship, which dates back to 1932 and is currently held by Greg Hancock of Costa Mesa, California. Hancock can control his destiny and virtually assure himself of the title by qualifying for the A Main Event. Winning the title will be anything but easy, however, and Hancock knows full well that his nearest pursuer in the points race, Billy Hamill of Monrovia, California, is ready to pounce on any opportunity afforded him.

Hancock and Hamill, both 35, have been racing each other for more than two decades, from their Southern California Junior Speedway days in the 1980s and throughout international careers that carried both to World Championships in the 1990s. They know each other’s every move and have combined to win the AMA’s premier Speedway racing title for the past seven straight years.

Hancock is chasing his sixth AMA title and Hamill his fourth and Hancock brings a 42-36 points lead into the 2005 series finale. Third ranked and another six points back is Charlie Venegas, 38, of San Bernardino, California. Also in the

title hunt are two-time AMA Champion Mike Faria of Reno, Nevada, and 2003 championship runner-up Ryan Fisher of Norco, California.

In addition to 2005 laurels, riders will be competing for invitations to compete in the exclusive AMA National Speedway Series again in 2006. Based on a series of criteria, 12 riders will earn automatic bids to the 2006 series and a top-10 finish in this year’s points will all but assure riders of an invitation

Here are the 2005 AMA National Championship Speedway Series standings heading into Saturday’s season finale:

2005 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SPEEDWAY SERIES

RIDER POINTS AFTER ROUND 2 OF 3

Pos. Rider, hometown Points

1. Greg Hancock, Costa Mesa, CA 42
2. Billy Hamill, Monrovia, CA 36
3. Charlie Venegas, San Bernardino, CA 30
4. Ryan Fisher, Norco, CA 24
4. Mike Faria, Reno, NV 24
6. Bryan Yarrow, Vacaville, CA 20
7. Buck Blair, Junction City, AZ 19
8. Bart Bast, Auburn, CA 18
9. Bobby Schwartz, Costa Mesa, CA 15
10. Nate Perkins, Bullhead City, AZ 14
11. Tommy Hedden, Auburn, CA 13
12. Eddie Castro, Ojai, CA 12
13. Shawn Harmatiuk, Garden Grove, CA 8
13. Jimmy Fishback, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 8
13. Chris Kerr, Auburn, CA 8
16. Billy Hiles, Auburn, CA 3

Round 3 Draw
Draw # Name Rider #
1 - Billy Hamill 2
2 - Qualifier 1
3 - Nate Perkins 15
4 - Bryan Yarrow 8
5 - Charlie Venegas 6
6 - Bobby Schwartz 11
7 - Tommy Hedden 7
8 - Greg Hancock 1
9 - Chris Kerr 10
10 - Eddie Castro 9
11 - Qualifier 2
12 - Bart Bast 5
13 - Jimmy Fishback 22
14 - Mike Faria 4
15 - Buck Blair 14
16 - Ryan Fisher 13

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Press Release: August 13, 2005

2005 AMA Sports National Championship Speedway Series Update:

AMA Sports has announced that Billy Janniro will have to withdraw from the AMA National Championship Series due to scheduling conflicts. Janniro is very disappointed to miss this year's series, but vows to return next year and win his first AMA National Championship.

The conflict arose because the dates for the series were different when Janniro signed his letter of intent to compete in the series. Janniro's team, the Coventry Bees, are in the middle of a playoff chase in the British Elite League, and rounds one and two of the series conflict with three critical league meetings that Janniro has over that weekend.

AMA Sports Director Ken Saillant expressed his disappointment with the situation, but was understanding as well. "We're going to miss Billy Janniro in the National Championship Series. We felt releasing him from his obligation to race in the series was the right thing to do since the dates were changed after he signed his letter of intent. We look forward to Billy competing next year."

Nate Perkins will replace Janniro in the field of seeded riders. Perkins, in his first full season in First Division, has won a Scratch Main at Industry Hills and a Handicap Main at Auburn. 1995 Junior National Champion Jimmy Fishback will replace Perkins in the qualifying round. Fishback returned to speedway this year and has qualified for the Scratch Main on more than one occasion at Industry Hills this season. The AMA U.S. National Championship Series will consist of three rounds contested at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, California on September 2, The Grand in Industry Hills on September 3, and the series concludes in Auburn on October 8.

AMA U.S. National Championship Series Rider Lineup
#1 Greg Hancock
#2 Billy Hamill
#3 Nate Perkins
#4 Mike Faria
#5 Bart Bast
#6 Charlie Venegas
#7 Tommy Hedden
#8 Bryan Yarrow
#9 Eddie Castro
#10 Chris Kerr
#11 Bobby Schwartz
#12 Shaun Harmatiuk
#13 Ryan Fisher
#14 Buck Blair
#15 Justin Boyle
#16 Matt Browne
#17 Devin Defreece
#18 Dario Galvin
#19 J.T. Mabry
#20 J.J. Martynse
#21 Jimmy Fishback
#22 Denny Scopellite

The draw for Round 1 in Auburn is listed below:
1 Chris Kerr
2 Shaun Harmatiuk
3 Q1
4 Greg Hancock
5 Nate Perkins
6 Bobby Schwartz
7 Mike Faria
8 Eddie Castro
9 Buck Blair
10 Ryan Fisher
11 Q2
12 Billy Hamill
13 Tommy Hedden
14 Bart Bast 15 Bryan Yarrow
16 Charlie Venegas

Elimination Race 1
Justin Boyle
Devin Defreece
Denny Scopellite
Matt Browne

Elimination Race 2
Dario Galvin
J.J. Martynse
Jimmy Fishback
J.T. Mabry

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Press Release: 6/21/05

2005 AMA Sports National Championship Speedway Series:

AMA Sports has announced the 2005 AMA Sports National Championship Speedway Series.

Five-time National Champion Greg Hancock, who has won the last two championships leads a 22-rider field that includes three other AMA National Champions. Hancock, the 1997 World Champion, will return to the U.S. to defend his title against former National Champion and 1996 World Champion Billy "The Bullet" Hamill. Hamill, as well as Billy "The Kid" Janniro, will also be travelling from Europe to compete in the series. Former AMA National Champions Flyin" Mike Faria and Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz are also included in the lineup.

The rider lineup was based on the following criteria: Last year's results, AMA selections, and riders who submitted a letter of intent to compete in the series.

This year marks the fourth year of the AMA National Championship Speedway Series and is the third time that the series will be contested over three rounds. Fast Fridays located at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, California will host rounds one and three. The Grand in Industry Hills, California will host the second round.

Fast Fridays has hosted all or part of the AMA National Speedway Championship since 1998. The Grand will be hosting the AMA National Championship for the first time on September 3.

Series Schedule:

Friday, September 2nd, - Rd. 1 - Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway - Auburn, CA

Saturday, September 3rd, - Rd. 2 - The Grand - City of Industry, CA

Saturday, October 8th, - Rd. 3 - Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway - Auburn, CA

Qualified Riders:

Bart Bast
Eddie Castro
Mike Faria
Ryan Fisher
Billy Hamill
Greg Hancock
Shawn Harmatiuk
Bobby Hedden
Tommy Hedden
Billy Janniro
Chris Kerr
Bobby Schwartz
Charlie Venegas
Bryan Yarrow

Elimination Round Riders:

Buck Blair
Justin Boyle
Matt Browne
Devin Defreece
Dario Galvin
J.T. Mabry
J.J. Martynse
Nate Perkins

Contact Information:

Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway, Auburn, CA - (530) 878-7223
www.fastfridays.com

The Grand, City of Industry, CA - (714) 232-2567
www.sweetspeed.com

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June 13, 2005

 

As I'm sure everyone knows, we came up a bit short in the Speedway World Cup qualifier in Daugavpils, Latvia, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Greg Hancock, Sam Ermolenko, Billy Janniro, Josh Larsen and Brent Werner for clearing their calendars, enduring a grueling travel schedule and turning in a strong runner-up effort.

 

Also, a special thanks to Richard Child and the guys who helped him do the really dirty work -- picking up equipment in England, driving from the UK to Sweden, picking up more equipment, riding the ferry to Latvia, driving to the event, supporting the US Team...and then doing it all over again in reverse.

 

We congratulate the Russian team on its victory and wish them well in their next Speedway World Cup round on July 31 in Swindon.

 

And as the Governor of California might say...we'll be back!

 

Meanwhile, let me also take this opportunity to ask for members of this group to provide input on several promotional ideas for next year's Team USA Speedway effort.

 

You can respond here in the group or email me at TeamUSASpeedway@yahoo.com or billamick@earthlink.net.

 

1. Do you think it is a valuable use of resources for the AMA and the US Speedway community to field a team in the FIM Speedway World Cup?

 

2. Would you be likely to purchase official Team USA Speedway apparel or merchandise if the proceeds were earmarked to support the team? If you answered yes, what items of apparel or merchandise would interest you most.

 

3. Would you be likely to attend a $75-a-plate testimonial dinner honoring American Speedway greats if the proceeds were earmarked to support the team? 

 

4. Would you be likely to participate in a silent auction offering autographed Team USA Speedway items if the proceeds were earmarked to support the team?

 

I'll be meeting later this week with the AMA to discuss the future of this project and your thoughts will be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Bill Amick

Heartland Media and Events

2005 AMS Speedway World Cup Manager

---

AMA Speedway News 2004

And here is the draw for round 1:

1 - Greg Hancock
2 - Qualifier 2
3 - Scott Brant
4 - Bobby Hedden
5 - Billy Janniro
6 - Qualifier 1
7 - Eddie Castro
8 - Ryan Fisher
9 - Charlie Venegas
10 - Billy Hamill
11 - Mike Faria
12 - Bart Bast
13 - Bryan Yarrow
14 - Tom Sephton
15 - Tommy Hedden
16 - Chris Manchester

Here is the draw for the preliminary round:

Prelim Heat One: Justin Boyle, Shawn Harmatiuk, Bobby Schwartz, Bobby Krips

Prelim Heat Two: Bartek Bardecki, Matt Browne, Eric Carrillo, Chris Kerr

Prelim Heats 3 and 4 lineups are based on results of Heats 1 & 2 per AMA Supplementary Regulations.

Alternates 1-2-3 for Round 1 in Auburn: JJ Martynse, Mark Carrillo and Greg Hooten Jr.

Alternates 1-2-3 for Round 2 in Victorville: Buck Blair, Gary Hicks and Jim Estes
 

The USA was seeded into the 2003 WTC but the AMA withdrew because there were not enough riders willing to make the commitment...for a variety of reasons, some that were arguably better than others. I should specifically point out that this was not a situation where riders made commitments and then backed out...there simply was not a representative team prepared to make the commitment.

As a result, we lost our seeding and were not invited to the dance in 2004. The AMA's position remains the same as in the past. We will provide administrative support -- and some financial support -- to a US team, but we will not engage in arm twisting. As a matter of policy, AMA Sports does not take the "old school" approach of pressuring riders to compete. We make FIM championship opportunities available to as many riders as possible, and once they sign on, we expect riders to fulfill their commitments. When they fail to do so, it damages future
opportunities for others.

We were disappointed that a WTC team didn't come together in 2003. We learned a few things in the process, and hopefully some other people did as well.

Bill Amick
AMA

AMA Youth Speedway Equipment Regulations

Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2004 10:36:28 -0500
From: "Bill Amick" <bamick@ama-cycle.org>
To: All

From: AMA Sports

AMA Youth Speedway Equipment Regulations

Here are the AMA Sports basic regulations for Youth Speedway in 2004.  This may come in handy in the current discussions. These rules are essentially identical to 2003 and were developed with the guidance of the AMA Speedway Advisory Committee and with input from promoters.

As an editorial comment, I would point out that AMA Sports has three main goals with these rules:
  1. Encourage development of 85cc 2-stroke speedway machines
  2. Maintain a place for existing and traditional junior (youth) equipment
  3. Allow maximum flexibility to riders and promoters -- to encourage rather than discourage participation.

Excerpt from 2004 AMA Pro-Am Speedway Rules:

Youth Speedway classes are available for riders aged 4-15 as follows:

Class 1 -- 4-8 years old. 51cc max. displacement, 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines.  Riders may be classified at option of promoter as A, B or C (beginner).  Under no circumstances may Class 1 machines be allowed on the track at the same time as larger machines.

Class 2 -- 7-11 years old. 85cc max. displacement for 2-strokes, 125cc max. displacement for 4-strokes. Riders may be classified at option of promoter as A, B or C (beginner).  At option of promoter, 2-stroke and 4-stroke machinery may be run separately.

Class 3 -- 12-15 years old. 85cc max. displacement for 2-strokes, 267cc max. displacement for 4-strokes.  Riders may be classified at option of promoter as A, B or C (beginner).  At option of promoter, 2-stroke and 4-stroke machinery may be run separately.

Class 2 and 3 machines may be grouped together at option of promoter, provided riders compete only within their own classification, i.e. A, B or C.

Promoters, referees, parents and guardians are reminded that not only engine size, but "machine fit" is important in Speedway competition.

All are reminded of the referee's authority to prohibit the participation of any rider judged by the referee to be unqualified to safely negotiate the course.

Bill Amick

The 2004 Annual AMA Speedway Planning Meeting

On January 18, the AMA held the annual Speedway planning meeting in Sacramento, CA. The following notes were taken. This is not comprehensive minutes, it is items that I believe will be of interest to US Speedway riders and supporters.

The plan this year for a National Series is again on, with 2 rounds in Auburn and a third round at a to-be-announced track. The dates are Aug 6 and Sept 24 at Auburn and August 7 at the other track.

There is interest in Southern California for a round of the Youth National Championship. A proposal to turn the Youth National Championship into a 2 round series has, in principle, been agreed, however the track must
demonstrate successful ability to hold events and an AMA sanction must be obtained for the event.

Although 4 US places were requested for the Under 21 World Championships, only 3 places were authorized. Those places have been assigned to Ryan Fisher, Eric Carrillo and Bryan Yarrow.

The AMA is looking at changing its business model, particularly in the way its sanction fees are structured. The goal is to minimize the upfront costs to promoters. It is hoped that this will encourage more tracks to become
AMA sanctioned facilities.

The Indianapolis Speedway facility will this year hold Youth Speedway events. They are pushing the 80cc class and have 10 machines currently under construction. They plan to hold 12 Speedway events this year.

Action Park East (Greene, NY) and Champion Speedway (Owego, NY) each plan 9 events.

SDR plans 4 events.

Fast Fridays (Auburn, CA) plans 19 events.

It is hoped that the Victorville track will hold an under 21 event again in 2004, preferably with an AMA sanction.

A number of changes to the rule book were discussed. Most were merely fixing errors, duplications or providing clarification. Thanks went to George Halyak, the Fast Fridays referee, for his prudence, in identifying so many anomalies. Of interest to riders:

1. The rules for machine specification for kids 12-15 have been broadened to include 5 valve heads. Damon Lengle requested this change. It is hoped that this move will broaden opportunities to interest more kids into Youth Speedway.

2. The makes models and types of eligible muffler systems has been taken out of the rule book and been made the responsibility of each promoter. This is because local noise regulations vary from track to track (due to proximity of the tracks) and each promoter will let riders know his/her approved list.
 

3. A long discussion took place, to try and find a position format to provide fair restarts, in the event of a race being stopped.

The conclusion was that it is impossible to satisfy all situations, to restart a race where the leader is half a lap ahead or a race where 4 riders have been evenly matched would require a different format to be fair. But the rule book has to provide a “one size fits all” instruction. The wording was changed to state “with adequate spacing” between the riders. A number of solutions were suggested, varying from 10 yards apart to directly in line tire to tire. The wording gives promoters/referees an opportunity to experiment with re-starting position format procedures.

A number of forms were made available for riders to apply to enter championship events. These are available above.

NOTE:  I have been asked to clarify the reference to a 2 round Youth National Series. It is not intended for 2004. The plan is the same single event format at Auburn for 2004, and it is hoped that a second suitable track is available for a 2 round series in 2005.  It is hoped to have an Under 21 single event championship in Southern California.

I hope this clears any confusion.

Gary Roberts - groberts@iee.org