Fast Fridays Speedway
Gold Country Fairgrounds
Auburn, California

USA Triumphs in World Speedway Match-Up
Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway
By Michael Kirby (Story & Photos)
AUBURN, CALIFORNIA, October 29, 2010

Sure there were trophies for the winners, but the real winners were the fans at Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway at Auburn’s Gold Country Fairgrounds Friday night.  They braved threatening weather to see the season finale, annual good-will classic, USA vs. The World meeting of world professional speedway riders racing against the best American riders, staged in Auburn.

Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway promoter David Joiner did an excellent job of inviting a talented group of world-class challengers to compete against our American team.  The World team was comprised of German riders Martin Smolinski, and Tobias Kroner, Patrick Hougaard and Kenneth Hansen representing Denmark, and Thomasz Bajerski rode for Poland.  American rider Greg Hooten filled out the final sixth world team spot.  For Smolinski it was his third trip to America to participate, Bajerski and Hansen were making their second appearance.  On the American team was 2010 USA/AMA National Speedway Champion Billy Janniro, Auburn’s Tommy Hedden and Bart Bast, veteran riders Charlie Venegas, Bobby Schwartz, and up and comer USA Under 21 champion Bryce Starks.

The riders rode in team pairs and competed for points in 18 heat races scoring three points for a first place finish, two for second and one for a third place showing.  At the end of the evening it was the hometown boys from America that came out on top of their European counterparts scoring 60 points to the World’s 48.  Janniro and Smolinski led all riders in points with 16 after six heat races with 16 points.  Smolinski finished with 19 points after substituting for Hougaard in heat 11, picking up another three points riding in seven heats.

Friday night in Auburn at Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway there were no winners or losers as far as the riders or fans were concerned.  The joy of the friendly competition was obvious throughout the evening as the riders enjoyed themselves in a sport they love that knows no language barriers.  “We take it serious, we want to make a good show, but no risky stuff tonight,” said Smolinski.  “It’s really nice to come back to America to race and see Billy (Janniro) again after racing together in Europe,” he said.

Scoring USA vs. The World  (USA 60 The World 48)

USA
Billy Janniro, 3, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2 (16)
Tommy Hedden 0, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, (9)
Bart Bast 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 2 (13)
Charlie Venegas 0, 3, 0, 1, 2, 1 (7)
Bobby Schwartz 3, 1, 2, 2, 0, 0 (8)
Bryce Starks 1, 0, 3, 1, 1, 1 (7)

The World
Martin Smolinski (Germany) 2, 3, 3, 3/3, 2, 3 (19 in seven heats)
Tobias Kroner (Germany) 1, 2, 2, 0/3, 3, 0 (8 in seven heats)
Patrick Hougaard (Denmark) 2 , 0, 0, dnr, 1, 2, (5 in five heats)
Kenneth Hansen (Denmark) 1, 2, 1, 0, 0, 3 (7)
Thomasz Bajerski (Poland) 0, 0, 0, dnr, 1, 0 (5 in five heats)
Greg Hooten (USA) 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1 (5)

Photos By Michael Kirby

	Martin Smolinski and Tobias Kroner of Germany rode as teammates Friday night at Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway’s USA vs The World championship clash at Auburn’s Gold Country Fairgrounds.  Smolinski and Kroner tallied 30 points for the World team.  The USA defeated the World 60-48 in the international good-will competition.
	Tobias Kroner of Germany (L) and Billy Janniro (R) ride in the USA vs the World Friday night at Fast Friday’s in Auburn.  Kroner scored 11 points for the World and Janniro scored 16 for the USA.