Fast Fridays Speedway
Gold Country Fairgrounds
Auburn, California

Speedway Sidecars Night
May 23, 2003 - Fast Fridays, Auburn
By Gary Roberts

Three weeks into the season and the temperature has really gone up this week. Its been well over 90 in Sacramento all week and yesterday Auburn hit 90. No problem with the track, it was smooth and consistent, although despite watering throughout the evening it did dry out a little towards the end. The warm weather brought out a big crowd, which enjoyed some great racing.

Scratch Main
1. Mike Faria
2. Bobby Hedden
3. Bart Bast
4. Charlie Venegas
For a second consecutive week, Mike Faria dominated the scratch main. Mike got the gate, followed closely by Bobby Hedden. Behind Hedden was Charlie Venegas, who is regaining his form every week. But Charlie’s race lasted only until the second lap, when he made contact with the rear of Bobby’s bike and down he went, giving his place to Bart Bast  At the front Mike pulled away to win by over a quarter of a lap. Charlie broke his collarbone in this race and will miss some action.

Scratch Consolation
1. Bart Bardecki
2. Chad Felicio
3. Chris Kerr
4. Tommy Hedden
Last week, Charlie Venegas was disqualified for jumping the start of the scratch consi. This week Tommy Hedden did exactly the same thing. Bart Bardecki won last week and did the same this week, again ahead of Chad Felicio.

Handicap Main
1. Jim Estes (30)
2. Bart Bast (50)
3. Mike Faria (50)
4. Matt Browne (0)
5. Billy Hiles (10)
6. Bobby Hedden (50)
More repeats in the Handicap Main. Despite an additional 10 yard handicap Jim Estes won again. Matt Browne was holding the lead on the second lap with Billy Hiles in second place. Billy did a 180 and took down half the field. With Hiles on the penalty line, Jim Estes had only to get by Matt Browne, which he did on the third lap, then despite fierce competition behind him, Jim held the lead for the rest of the race.

Handicap Consolation
1. Chris Kerr (30)
2. JJ Martynse (10)
3. Greg Hooten (0)
4. Bart Bardecki
5. Ian Essary (10)
6. Ivan Sevart (0).

Division 2 Main
1. Devon Defreece
2. Mark Thomas
3. David Fonts
4. Mark Carrillo
5. Ron Woodsford
6. Mike Achilles
 

Division 2 Consolation
1. Shawn Eldridge
2. Glenn Scott
3. Doug Mignano
4. Harlan Bast
5. Randy Martin
6. Mike Browne

Division 3 Main
1. Bruce Bast
2. Dave Jessop
3. Robert Christian
4. Christian Sherfy
5. Greg Chacon
6. Les Veale
7. Greg Lovelien
Kerr Kerrigan qualified, but was a non starter.

Division 3 Consolation
1. Greg Searle
2. Treggan Mullenix
3. John Deatherage
4. Clark Caravella
5. Rich Mignano
6. Brian Deland
7. Matt Pangburn
8. Kjell Lovlien

Youths Division 1
1. Danny Easley
2. TJ Fowler
3. JT Mabry
4. Paul Johnson
Just like last week, one of the best races of the night, with Fowler and Easley putting on a great race.

Youths Division 2
1. Jay Ricketts
2. Mitch Johnson
3. Ricky Felicio
4. Tom Fuhrman
5. Krystal Cramer

Youths Division 3
1. Tori Hubbert
2. Cody Ciciarelli
3. Bryce Olney

For some reason, there seemed to be a lack of riders this week. Brian Yarrow and Eric Carrillo are in England competing in the Under 21 quarter final. Others took off for the weekend Memorial weekend holiday.

It was also announced that there will be a Speedway event at Placerville during the El Dorado County Fair.

Next week at Auburn is the 25 lap race!

Gary Roberts - gary_rob@ix.netcom.com