Fast Fridays Speedway

Gold Country Fairgrounds
1273 High Street
Auburn, California

Season Opener
Fast Friday's Motorcycle Speedway, Gold Country Fairgrounds
Opening Night at Fast Friday’
By Michael Kirby (Story & Photos)
AUBURN, CALIFORNIA, May 12, 2017

YouTube Video - by Anthony Bernardi

Excitement was high as fans poured into Auburn’s McCann Stadium in the Gold Country Fairgrounds Friday night as Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway kicked off their 2017 season with a flawless opening night. The long off season is over and the first of 22 nights of thrilling weekly motorcycle racing is in the books. The Fast Friday’s staff with just 10 days to prepare the track from scratch after the Auburn Pro Rodeo had the facilities in great shape.

In the Division I scratch main and the Division I handicap main events the younger riders that have been chasing the older veteran riders in past seasons put the hammer down with two convincing wins. Luke Becker 19, nicknamed the “Lil Missile” began his racing career at age seven in the junior division captured the scratch main event. Becker was undefeated in the scratch program winning his heat race, semi-final race and then leaving Bart Bast, Bryan Yarrow and speedway national champion Billy Janniro behind in the main event. Out of lane four, Becker led the entire race and seemed to be in cruise mode leading from the gate. “I can’t even put it in words, it’s my first main event win at my home track, we’ve been trying to get this for so long,” Becker said.

Another young gun, Kurtis Hamill 18, also made a huge statement in the handicap main event. Hamill riding off the 20 yard line added 10 more yards to his start position next week with a fantastic first place finish. Hamill had quite a challenge from veteran Daniel Faria in a great race but held on for the win. “I’m pretty happy this is my first handicap win here,” said Hamill. “I just went out there, rode my laps and it worked out. Next week I will be on the 30 (yard line) with a little more challenge and a little more fun,” he said.

Maybe it is just the first night jitters or a case of dusting the off season cobwebs away for the veteran racers but these younger riders are looking to make a mark this season. These guys who were just kids a few years ago are now young men and will be serious competitors this season looking to make a name for themselves.

Jeremy Estes, a solid Division II rider who has had his eye on tearing it up in Division I since he began riding in Division III just two years ago won the Division II main event. Estes transferred with a top three finish in his heat race to lead Davey Shaw and Matt King across the finish line in that order. Also adding yardage to his start position next week, looks like Estes dream to ride in Division I is just a little closer to being a reality.

Aaron Sorani, after just a few rides last season, was off to a great 2017 season start winning the Division III main event. Sorani who was handicapped on the start line won his heat race to transfer to the main and remained undefeated in the main event. With the win he finds himself getting acquainted with the dirt on the10 yard line next week.

Back this year in the junior division is Auburn speedster Colton Hicks. With a lengthy racing resume for a fifteen year old including a pair of AMA Youth National Championships in 2013 and 2015, Hicks made easy work in the Youth A Division winning the main event. Kyle Cunningham and Cameron Krezman had impressive nights but could not catch up with Hicks and settled for second and third. Landon Norton picked up the win in the Youth B Division, followed by Auburn’s Landon Collins and Gregory Moore. In a new Youth C Division combining the 150cc riders and 250cc riders Anthony Dion was first, Aidan McNutt was second and Logan Hedden was third.

Shawn Eldredge topped Nick Dion and Jay Fodrini in the Run What U Brung main event and Jeremy Estes also won the trophy dash.

It was a great night of speedway action and a very smooth season opener. A big hats off to the Fast Fridays staff for what looks to be a fun and exciting upcoming 2017 speedway racing season.

Fast Fridays Results for 5-12-17

Scratch Main Event
1-Luke Becker, 2-Bryan Yarrow, 3-Bart Bast, 4-Billy Janniro

Scratch Consolation
1-Russell Green, 2-Ryan Bast 3-Charlie Venegas, 4-Daniel Faria

Handicap Main Event
1-Kurtis Hamill, 2-Daniel Faria, 3-Louie Mersaroli

Handicap Consolation
1-Ryan Bast, 2-Tommy Hedden, 3-Bart Bast, 4-Bryan Yarrow, 5-Billy Janniro, 6-Nick Dion

Division II Main Event
1-Jeremy Estes, 2-Davey Shaw, 3-Matt King

Division II Consolation
1-Rick Shafer, 2-William McCloskey, 3-Brian Leventon

Division III Main Event
1-Aaron Sorani, 2-Casey Cornilsen, 3-Cameron Beck, 4-Ray Holt Jr.

Division III Consolation
1-Tim Dion, 2-Joey Rosselit, 3-Steven Sagen

Youth 250 A Main Event
1-Colton Hicks, 2-Kyle Cunningham, 3-Cameron Krezman

Youth 250 B Main Event
1-Landon Norton, 2-Landon Collins, 3-Gregory Moore

Youth 250/150 C Main Event
1-Timmy Dion, 2-Aidan McNutt, 3-Logan Hedden, 4-Enzo Sorani, 5-Colton Nelson

Run What U Brung
1-Shawn Eldredge, 2-Nick Dion, 3-Jay Fodrini

Photos By Michael Kirby

	Luke Becker draws his lane position Friday night before the scratch main event. Out of lane four Becker won the first scratch main event of the 2017 Fast Friday Motorcycle season,
	Luke Becker in action night, the 19 year old won the scratch main event.
	Kurtis Hamill picked a win in the Division I handicap main event.
	Kurtis Hamill (left) and Colton Hicks (right) share a light moment before the racing action Friday night. Both Hamill and Hicks had big nights each picking up main event wins.
	Landon Norton won the Youth 250 B main event.
	Aaron Sorani won the Division III main event.