Fast Fridays Speedway
Gold Country Fairgrounds
Auburn, California

USA vs The World
Fast Fridays Speedway
October 24, 2008
From Gary Roberts

The annual USA vs. the World was held on a pleasantly warm evening for the time of year, on a well prepared racetrack. 6 top Americans, verses 6 top World riders, with Bobby Hedden, who stepped up to serve the curious role of reserve for both sides.

On paper, the world side looked very good. After watching the previous night's practice session, I would have thought we needed at least Hancock and Janniro to have a victorious US side. Lubos Tomicek of the Czech Republic returned for a second year after his sensational 2007 visit, where he was top scorer. German GP rider from the previous weekend's aborted German GP looked very fast in practice, as did first time visitors Maciej Janwoski and Janusz Kolodziej, both young riders from Poland. These four were all youngsters. Mariusz Puszakowski, who also from Poland made his debut in the event last year when he scored 6 points. Seasoned veteran Phil Collins top scorer of the same event held in Ascot 23 years earlier, completed the field. Full credit to Fast Fridays promoter, Dave Joiner for putting together a great world team.

But come the night, the final score was USA 56 to the World team score of 52 points.

The four brightest stars were the youngsters of the World team. Full credit went to Martin Smolinski and Maciej Janwoski. Both gated well and when they missed the gate, they made every effort to get to the front. Smolinski was unlucky in his third ride to have chain break while leading. This event turned from an otherwise sure 4-2 to the world to a 2-4. The 4 points difference would have turned the final score to a draw. The two veterans in the world team were the low scorers.

The US team was similar to last year, except youngsters Wells and Ingalls replaced Yarrow and Fisher. There really was not a weak link in the US team, all riders rode well, with Wells and Venegas as top scorers

Results:

Heat 1: 1. Bast; 2. T. Hedden; 3. Tomicek; 4. Puszakowski.

Heat 2: 1. Kolodziej; 2. Janowski; 3. Faria; 4. Venegas.

Heat 3: 1. Smolinski; 2. Ingalls; 3. Wells; 4. Collins.

Heat 4: 1 Janowski; 2. T. Hedden; 3 Kolodziej; 4. Bast.

Heat 5: 1. Venegas; 2. Smolinski; 3. Faria; 4. Collins.

Heat 6: 1. Wells; 2. Tomicek; 3. Puszakowski; 4. Ingalls.

Heat 7: 1. Bast; 2. B. Hedden (sub for Collins); 3. T. Hedden; 4. Smolinski.

Heat 8: 1. Venegas; 2. Tomicek; 3. Faria; 4. Puszakowski.

Heat 9: 1. Janowski; 2. Ingalls; 3. Kolodziej; 4. Wells.

Heat 10: 1. Tomicek; 2. T. Hedden; 3. Bast; 4. Puszakowski.

Heat 11: 1. Janowski; 2. Venegas; 3. Kolodziej; 4. B. Hedden (Sub for Faria).

Heat 12: 1. Smolinski; 2. Wells; 3. Ingalls; 4. Collins.

Heat 13: 1. Kolodziej; 2. Bast; 3. T. Hedden; 4. Janowski.

Heat 14: 1. Smolinski; 2. Faria; 3. Venegas; 4. B. Hedden (sub for Collins).

Heat 15: 1. Wells; 2. Tomicek; 3. Puszakowski; 4. Ingalls.

Heat 16: 1. Smolinski; 2. Hedden; 3. Bast; 4. Collins.

Heat 17: 1. Faria; 2. Venegas; 3. Tomicek; 4. Puszakowski.

Heat 18: 1. Wells; 2. Janowski; 3. Kolodziej; 4. Ingalls.

USA 56
Bart Bast (3 0 3 1 2 1) 10
Tommy Hedden (2 2 1 2 1 2) 10
Mike Faria (1 1 1 - 2 3) 8
Charlie Venegas (0 3 3 2 1 2) 11
Kenny Ingalls (2 0 2 1 0 0) 5
Ricky Wells (1 3 0 2 3 3) 12
Bobby Hedden (0) 0

THE World 52
Mariusz Puszakowski (Pol) (0 1 0 0 1 0) 2
Lubos Tomicek (Cz) (1 2 2 3 2 1) 11
Maciej Janowski (Pol) (2 3 3 3 0 2) 13
Janusz Kolodziej (3 1 1 1 3 1) 10
Phil Collins (0 0 - 0 - 0) 0
Martin Smolinski (3 2 0 3 3 3 ) 14
Bobby Hedden res (2 0) 2

So there ends another year of Fast Fridays Speedway racing and we face the annual challenge of what to do until next May. The opera, the ballet, or the pub? Its always a tough decision.

Looking back, 2008 seems to have been a better year for Northern California Speedway than last year. The shortage of riders in 2007 did not seem as bad this year. Our long standing wish for a second track to run on Saturdays was answered by Charlie Venegas, with the successful, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable Vallejo experience. We all owe Charlie a big THANK YOU!

Ricky Wells and Kenny Ingalls in particular jumped up a couple of notches this year. Both appear to be the best of America's future hopefuls. Ben Essary had a great first season and if one is to break one's wrist, the last event before the off-season is the best time to do it. Get well, Ben!

The Northern California Speedway Riders Association, which began with a lot of enthusiasm quietened down during the racing season, when our proposed practice track failed to materialize. It is hoped that our search for another practice track will resume. I seriously believe that is the missing link necessary to trigger the future growth of the sport. If anyone has any thoughts about potential candidates, please let the rest of us know.

Gary Roberts - gary_rob@ix.netcom.com