Fast Fridays, Auburn, California USA - July 8, 2005
After a week of fairly uncomfortable hot weather last night was moderate. The track seemed about average and the crowd was about the same.
There was a shortage of riders, particularly in divisions 1 and 2. There were 5 riders in each of 3 division 1 handicap races. This meant pulling a division 2 rider in to make up the numbers for the scratch program. Rachael Kerr got her first division 1 ride and she rode well, taking third place in her heat. She was the first lady rider I have seen competing in Northern Californian division 1 in the 8 years I have been attending. Perhaps someone can advise me if a lady rider has ever ridden at this level in Northern California at any time before.
Unofficial results
Scratch Main Event
1. Charlie Venegas
2. Bart Bast
3. Bobby Hedden
4. Tommy Hedden
Charlie, from the gate.
Scratch Consolation Event
1. Bryan Yarrow
2. Chad Felicio
3. Matt Browne
TJ Fowler qualified for this race, but did not ride.
Handicap Main Event
1. JJ Martynse (20)
2. Bobby Hedden (50)
3. Bart Bast (50)
4. Greg Hooten (20)
5. Bryan Yarrow (40)
6. Matt Browne (30)
Handicap Consolation Event
Competitors were:Chad Felicio (50), TJ Fowler (40), Tommy Hedden (50), JT Mabry (10), Dustin Schroeder, and Charlie Venegass.
Dustin and Charlie were non starters. JT held the lead for 4 or so laps, then fell, as a result of a mechanical problem, blocking the track. The race was restarted. Tommy Hedden got the gate, with TJ in hot pursuit. It looked like TJ ran into Tommy and both fell heavily. Neither was injured. The race was stopped and not rerun.
Division 2 Main Event
1. Mike Achilles
2. Kell Kerrigan
3. Bill Warnock
4. Norman Brooks
5. Harlan Bast
6. Mike Browne
Division 2 Consolation Event
1. Josh West
2. Josh West
3. Rachael Kerr
4. Steve Lewotsky
5. Brian Leventon
Division 3 Main Event
1. Jim Jensen
2. Dennis Michel
3. Kevin Fereira
4. Johnny Frank
5. Derek Sheppard
6. Danny Poli
7. Jeff Spenser
8. Rich Mignano
Division 3 Consolation Event
1. Danny Turner
2. Josh Everle
3. Greg Lovlien
4. Ronny Woodsford
5. John Schroeder
6. Tor Lovlien
7. Gary Hubbert
8. Anthony Pizarri
Division 1 Youth Main
1. Paul Johnson
2. Tom Fehrman
3. Ricky Felicio
4. Ben Essary
5. Jay Ricketts
6. Bryce Starks
Division 2 Youth Main
1. Cody Cicciarelli
2. Troy Guisande
3. John Randolph
Division 3 Youth Main
1. Will Hilgenberg
2. Amber Felicio
3. Tanner Kane
4. Michelle Fehrman
5. Eric Randolph
6. Tom Reich
Now for the big news. I talked last night with a former top US international rider who retired from the sport over a decade ago. He is considering making a comeback at Auburn in 2 weeks. If it happens, I am sure he will attract a big following. Any guesses?
Gary Roberts groberts@iee.org
