From Ryan Evans
sideways31@aol.com
Gary Hicks overcame a rough track to take the victory in the Scratch Main
Event as Costa Mesa kicked off what could be its final season in front of a
large crowd with the annual Coors Light Spring Classic. Hicks and
Bobby Schwartz
gated together and were side by side as they entered turn three.
Hicks stuck to the low line leaving Schwartz out wide to battle the massive
ruts in the track. Hicks sped away with an easy victory. Charlie Venegas
and Northern California rider Chad Felicio managed to get by Schwartz for
second and third respectively. Schwartz ended up fourth and Shawn McConnell
finished fifth.
Charlie Cooley took an easy victory in the Handicap Main as he led all eight
laps and was never seriously challenged. Ryan Fisher had a circuitous
journey to end up second. Fisher was in second after the first lap, then was
passed by several riders. After several laps in fifth place, he worked his
way back up to second as he took the white flag, but he didn't have enough
time to catch Cooley who looked very smoothe considering the condition of the
track. Randy DiFrancesco finished third ahead of Felicio and Charlie Venegas.
Veteran rider Danny Perkins, who returned to speedway last year after a long
layoff, was the victor in the Support Main Event. Perkins, starting from the
20 yard line, worked his way past Mike Lupo and ran away from the field.
Lupo, who didn't race in 1999, held on to second place and Billy Lyons
finished third.
Howard Larson won the Support B Main Event in his speedway debut. Fellow
newcomer Rod Lenz finished second and veteran Mike Boyle finished third.
There were several riders who made the trip from Northern California, but the
most unique visitor was Bevan Compton from South Africa. Compton, who has
been in the United States competing in ICE series couldn't pass up the
opportunity to race at the world famous venue. However, Compton had a hard
time adjusting to the small track and didn't transfer out of either heat.
The track was rough all evening with several holes developing in turns three
and four. The holes forced most riders to two-wheel into the corner to avoid
crashing. The circumstances made for some very interesting and unpredictable
racing throughout the evening and left many riders picking themselves of the
ground and even more shaking their heads. Fortunately, there were no
injuries.
RESULTS Support B Consi 141 - Tom Collier 20 147 - Winston Williams 20 103 - Brent Smith 20 269 - Ed Martinez 20 132 - David Moore 10 317 - Craig Mumma 10 (non-starter) Support B Main 168 - Howard Larsen 10 196 - Rod Lenz 10 198 - Mike Boyle 20 202n Harry Bradwell 20 211 - Doug Lupo 20 249 - John Stunkard 10 Support Consi 338 - Dave Delbridge 20 219 - John O'Neill 30 120 - Bill McCarley 30 91n - Bill Hermant 30 131 - David Lynch 30 226 - Sean Larned 30 Support Main 189 - Danny Perkins 20 162 - Mike Lupo 10 321 - Billy Lyons 20 417n Scott Olney 20 197 - Greg Starcevic 20 (penalty line) 182 - Rudy Laurer 30 (penalty line) (fell) Handicap Main 16 - Charlie Cooley 30 6n - Ryan Fisher 40 12 - Randy DiFrancesco 40 54n - Chad Felicio 40 43 - Charlie Venegas 60 11 - Bobby Schwartz 60 173 - Brian Thompson 10 6 - Shawn McConnell 60 (penalty line) Scratch Main 3 - Gary Hicks 43 - Charlie Venegas 54n - Chad Felicio 11 - Bobby Schwartz 6 - Shawn McConnell (fell, remounted)