Batavia Motor Speedway
Batavia, New York
Batavia Motor Speedway
Batavia, New York, USA
July 15, 2005
Grand Opening - Sephton steals Opener at BMS
By Jason Bonsignore
It was certainly a Grand Opening for the East Coast's newest Speedway facility, Batavia Motor Speedway. On a very nice, hot day, contractors were still putting the finishing touches on the track lighting system only minutes before the event but all went off as planned and as promoter Jason Bonsignore had been promising for several years, Speedway was brought back from the dead in Batavia.
A large crowd was present complete with many old faces from the original track at the Genesee County Fairgrounds back in the late 70's. Several local stars were back on bikes, some for the first time this year, some for the first time in many years. Among them were East Coast stars George "Lazorbeam" Lazor, Mike Robinson and "Smokin" Dave Oakden. Coming out of long retirements were "Motorin" Matt Otto, Pat Cliff and Greg Didas. Many out of town riders came from the Binghamton area and including the dirt-trackers, quads and youth riders, over 60 entries were on the program.
After town supervisor, June Vukman, cut the ribbons to officially open the track, the races began.
In the first round of speedway heats the riders quickly adapted to the new surface and Adam "OJ" Mittl became the venues first heat winner ever. Heat two saw the defending US Open Champion, Tommy "Gator" Sephton, take home first place. Other first places went to local star "Mean" Gene Bonsignore and Jeremy "Darkhorse" Parsons of Johnson City.
Round two began with longtime Eastern legend, NGK Spark Plugs, K&N Filters sponsored Tuff McBride making a spectacular outside pass on Bonsignore for his first BMS win. Sephton upped his total to six points and Mittl and Parsons stayed undefeated.
In the third series of heats Sephton, Parsons and Mittl all were able to avoid defeat which set up what many felt was the most exciting race of the evening...a runoff the determine the top two points scorers.
The runoff with Sephton, Mittl and Parsons was an awesome affair with all three running wide open side by side for four laps while banging elbows. Mittl and Parsons were on a mission to beat Sephton and succeeded forcing him to the semis.
Semi One had Sephton taking the win over Lazor, Bonsignore and Tuff McBride. Unfortunately though on the first try Bonsignore and McBride hooked up and Bonsignore went down hard. He soldiered on for a restart and a last chance appearance but later found out that he had a separated shoulder.
Semi Two saw Lengle back in the winners circle and showing more confidence as of late. He was able to take the win from Mikey Buman, Oakden and Lenny McBride.
The Last Chance had Bonsignore leap out into the lead for several laps before tiring with the shoulder injury and giving way to the hard charging Buman who qualified for his first D-1 Scratch Main. Bonsignore stayed in third and Lazor took fourth.
As the riders came out for the RedLine Oil Main Event it was looking to be a toss up between Sephton, Mittl and Parsons who had all been just about equal on the night. When it came down to it though, the Metro Racing sponsored Sephton proved again that he is still the East Coasts best Speedway Rider. He walked away from the field winning his fifth Main Event out of six so far in the East Coast schedule. Parsons was running second but fell on the last lap allowing Mittl into second who also then fell which allowed a surprise final standing.
In the Support Speedway Division it was twelve year old sensation Corey Brookes taking it all home over first timer Robin Wilt, Andy Crawford, Otto, Katalin Davis and Didas.
The Junior Main was won by Keith Lengle over Danny Oakden.
The dirt-track and quad program was excellent and produced winners Jon Welles, Raymond McClelland, Ricky Boley, Jeremy Thompson, James Rispoli and Jason Tuin.
Division 1 Main Event
1. Tom Sephton
2. Mickey Buman
3. Adam Mittl (fell)
4. Jeremy Parsons (fell)
Support A Main Event
1. Corey Brookes
2. Robin Wilt
3. Andy Crawford
4. Matt Otto
5. Katalin Davis
6. Greg Didas
Jr. Main Event
1. Keith Lengle
2. Oakden
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