Hi, here we go again. Another week done below the equator. I thank you for posting the reports. The people here think it is the cats ass. I just did an interview with the Provincial News newspaper today, and they are all googly eyed over how I report back to the rest of the world and putting Argentine Speedway on the world map. They even took pictures of me in front of the computer and stuff, and I'll be looking for it in the paper to bring home for you to see. Anyways here goes the next report for round 4.
Buenos Dias from the land of moto scooters, and the Capital City of Motorsports- Bahia Blanca, Argentina. What a week this has been, with temperatures falling, and many rising concerns about the racing surface. Meanwhile to tell the you the truth, I spent time relaxing and figuring out the city streets. As my sponsor revoked the privileges of the Honda XR 200 for a sale to a customer, my thirst was replenished with a new Suzuki RG150 two stroke rice rocket, with full fairings and a FMF silencer. As the need for speed has developed, so did my knowledge of my surroundings and by finally the fourth week, I can say I am starting to settle into this atmosphere.
The same goes for the Sunday night Speedway races in Dublin Park. Well over 2000 paying adults participated in what proved to be one of the most exciting nights of racing yet. The track was again inadequately prepared, but I think people are beginning to not expect that to change anytime soon. With all three classes of Speedway, of 50cc, 200cc, and 500cc, the pits were jammed with over 75 speedway bikes, and riders.
The Canadian (thats me) has begun his climb up the ladder from his suffering opening three rounds. Aboard my own complete bike now, I am starting to adapt to the conditions and bike setups needed for South American speedway. With a good qualifying time in my qualifier, I secure and immediate spot behind Castagna in the semi-finals. As the night went on, the track began to break up something wild in turn one and turn three, which just happens to be the entrance to the corners and the spots where your speed is greatest. This made the racing harder and slowed down the times in the semi-finals. With over 30 rider sign-ins, I managed to make it through the semi-final with one of the top six times. Proceeding to the main, I knew it was going to be tough. Heck, it was tough just getting there. Simone Teranzini missed out and settled for a win in the consolation final. Coming from gate five of the six with some of the top riders inside you, it is time to count your blessings. With that I managed to work my way into fourth position behind what seems to be the roadblock. The roadblock in this case is the three men who have all finished 1-2-3 in all four rounds of the series. Sanchez, Castagna, and Vallejos control the scene down here with their European and World Final experience. Sanchez from the World Junior finals and German Jr. Championship, Castagna from so many I can't count World Speedway Finals, and Vallejos from numerous World Long Track Finals. Needless to say I am content for now with my finish behind the roadblock. The following are the Final results for round four.
Pos. No. Rider Place 1 40 Poty Sanchez Capital Federal, Arg. 2 38 Armando Castagna Italy 3 1 Luis Vallejos Bahia Blanca, Arg. 4 37 Christian Hesmer Canada 5 43 Diego Zinni Bahia Blanca, Arg. 6 3 Julio Galdos Henderson, Arg.
And as I promised last week, here is the complete breakdown of series points after four rounds. Please don't ask how these points are derived, cause it may take me another week to get the low down. Now take a deep breath, and here we go!
RANKING 500cc CUARTA FECHA POSICION No. PILOTO PUNTOS LOCALIDAD 1 40 EMILIANO SANCHEZ 64 CAP. FEDERAL 2 38 ARMANDO CASTAGNA 62 ITALIA 3 1 LUIS VALLEJOS 54 BAHIA BLANCA 4 43 DIEGO ZINNI 34 BAHIA BLANCA 5 3 JULIO GALDOS 28 HENDERSON 6 37 CHRISTIAN HESMER 22 CANADA 7 39 SIMONE TERENZANI 22 ITALIA 8 13 GUSTAVO CURZIO 20 BAHIA BLANCA 9 2 DANIEL KEEGAN 16 PUAN 10 9 CARLOS SILVA 14 PUNTA ALTA 11 6 FERNANDO DONAY 13 CARLOS CASARES 12 23 PABLO MENDEZ 9 BAHIA BLANCA 13 4 DANIEL MORENO 8 GRAL. PICO 14 11 FLAVIO HUSMAN 8 BONIFACIO 15 46 RICARDO LANA 8 STA. ROSA 16 36 JUAN JOSE BELONGINI 7 BAHIA BLANCA 17 12 CLAUDIO SMITH 6 PUNTA ALTA 18 31 ENRIQUE SALAS 5 BAHIA BLANCA 19 10 ROBERTO Della GIUSTINA 4 BAHIA BLANCA 20 14 DARIO IGLESIAS 4 DAIREAUX 21 16 NESTOR ROTH 4 CARHUE 22 20 LEANDRO TORRES 4 PUNTA ALTA 23 32 GUILLERMO GONZALEZ 4 HENDERSON 24 35 OMAR COLA 4 BAHIA BLANCA 25 7 LEANDRO PRIETO 3 HENDERSON 26 19 CARLOS CONZALEZ 3 GRAL. PICO 27 27 FABIAN ORLANDO 3 BAHIA BLANCA 28 28 WALTER VELAZQUEZ 3 SANTA ROSA 29 29 ALFREDO ASCORTI 3 CNEL. PRINGLES 30 30 ABDON MORIS 3 GRAL LAMADRID 31 42 RODOLFO PEREYRA 3 PUNTA ALTA 32 24 FRANCO BELAZCO 2 PUAN 33 45 KLAIN MARIANO 2 BAHIA BLANCA 34 47 DANIEL FINOCHIARO (H) 2 BAHIA BLANCA 35 18 MARIO OLIVERA 1 SANTA ROSA 36 25 RICARDO MORENO 1 GRAL. PICO 37 26 LEONARDO GONZALEZ 1 PUAN 38 33 GUILLERMO SAHAGUN 1 BAHIA BLANCA 39 34 LUIS PATIES HENDERSON 1 40 47 PABLO HOURS 1
Please excuse me, as I find it difficult writing these Spanish names, and thus I will not post the standings for the 200cc and 500cc classes which contain the same content of riders. Lets just say it is fair to say your favorite Argentinean is in First position or last, whatever his name happens to be.
Well, it is time to go. Please keep sending those terrific emails from
around the world. Stay tuned for next week, as two rounds will take place.
The fifth round will take place on Saturday in Huanguelen in Buenos Aires,
which is 230km north of Bahia Blanca. Rumour has it that it is the same
size, but a much harder and smoother. To me it sounds like a Wellend
surface, and I hope to do well there. Sunday we return to Bahia Blanca for
round six.
Asta la wago!
Chris Hesmer
1998 Canadian Speedway Champion.
E-mail in Argentina in care of: gsahagun@impsat1.com.ar