2015 Jack Milne Cup - Costa Mesa, CA, USA - May 16 “Mad” Max Ruml opened Southern California’s regular speedway season with a perfect night and claimed the prestigious Jack Milne Cup at the world famous Costa Mesa Speedway. Three rounds of heats produced a youthful main event lineup as 18 year old Max Ruml was joined by 17 year old Broc Nicol, and Aaron Fox and Jason Ramirez who are both in their twenties. Max Ruml had an unblemished nine points while his competitors each had eight. Max Ruml picked gate one, Ramirez chose gate two, Nicol selected gate four, which left Fox with gate three. Max Ruml and Fox left the line together after the tapes went up but Max Ruml’s inside gate allowed him to take control in turn one. Fox chased the leader while Ramirez and Nicol battled for third. Fox was able to cut into the lead and found himself right on Max Ruml’s back tire as they took the white flag. Max Ruml made no mistakes and was first to the checkered flag. Fox had to settle for second, Nicol was third, and Ramirez finished in fourth. Max Ruml’s victory easily made him the youngest racer to win the trophy that honors the 1937 World Speedway Champion. Milne’s victory at the hallowed ground of the original Wembley Stadium also made him the first American to win a world championship in any motor sport. Milne’s impact on American speedway is immeasurable. He and Harry Oxley were cofounders of Costa Mesa Speedway in 1969.His guidance and co-promotion alongside Harry Oxley were instrumental in the success and longevity of the venue. Tyson Talkington kicked off the heats by defeating former National Champions Bobby “Boogaloo” Schwartz and “Flyin” Mike Faria. Nicol raced to his first victory in heat two. Max Ruml started his evening by defeating Fox in event three. Shawn “Mad Dog” McConnell completed round one with a win over Ramirez. Ramirez beat Faria to start round two. Nicol used the outside to go around Schwartz for the win in heat 11 while Dillon Ruml, making his Costa Mesa debut on a 500, also passed the former World Pairs Champion to get second. Max Ruml roared to his second victory in the next heat. Fox beat McConnell to end the second round. Talkington started the third round in front but Fox slipped by to take the lead and his second win. Ramirez and Nicol raced side-by-side for over two laps before Ramirez edged ahead for the victory. Max Ruml remained perfect with a win in event 21.Blair finished the heats by defeating McConnell. Blair trapped from gate four and kept McConnell at bay to win the Scratch Consolation. Talkington finished third and Schwartz was fourth. Mike Dalbey got the jump on the field in the Second Division Main Event. River McDougall fought his way past a couple riders to get himself into second. Dalbey was comfortably ahead and cruised to an impressive victory after many years away from speedway. McDougall had second wrapped up but fell in the final corner. Ricky Richards was able to get around him but Rohn Zellner was forced to lay his bike down to avoid the fallen rider. Zellner was awarded third place with David Lynch getting fourth and McDougall relegated to fifth. Chris Wolfs led the opening lap of the Third Division Main but was under pressure from Robert “The Sarge” Fiesler. Wolfs left an opening that Fiesler shot through to take the lead. Fiesler never looked back and took home the win. Wade Whitcomb finished second, Wolfs was third, and Pam “Pinky” Bennett finished fourth. Samuel Ramirez was the initial leader of the Junior 250 Main Event but Sebastian Palmese went by the second time through turn two. The two-time Mini 150 National Champion led the rest of the way to score the victory on his first night on a 250 at Costa Mesa. Ramirez held on to second, Jake Isaac was third, and Michael Wells finished in fourth. “Lightning” Luke Whitcomb kept Slater Lightcap at bay to win the Mini 150 Main Event. Sidecar National Champions Bryan Motis and Josh Bennett led all four laps to begin their season just as last season ended, with a main event victory. Dual Anderson and Vinny Madagan were second, Joe Jones and Tom Summers finished third, and Stuart Glass and Jack Straw were credited with fourth. The Jack Milne Cup was the first event on the calendar for International Speedway’s 47th season of speedway at the Orange County Fairgrounds. The racers put on a great show for the crowd on a race track that was excellently prepared by Brad Oxley. There isn’t racing this coming weekend due to the Memorial Day Holiday so the next event at Costa Mesa Speedway is Round 1 of the AMA National Championship Series on Saturday, May 30.Defending AMA National Champion Billy “The Kid” Janniro is hoping to open his title defense by matching last year’s unbeaten evening. He will have plenty of competitors who will be trying to take the early lead in the four-round series for themselves. RESULTS Sidecar Main Event Mini 150 Main Event Junior 250 Main Event Third Division Consolation Third Division Main Event Second Division E Main (restarted twice) Second Division D Main (restarted) Second Division C Main Second Division B Main Second Division Main Event First Division Heat Scoring123T Race Results Scratch Consolation Jack Milne Cup Main Event Past Jack Milne Cup Winners |
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