Fast Fridays Speedway

Gold Country Fairgrounds
1273 High Street
Auburn, California

Challenge Elimination 3
Fast Friday's Motorcycle Speedway, Gold Country Fairgrounds
Gold Country Fairgrounds
Janniro and Faria win main events
By Michael Kirby (Story & Photos)
AUBURN, CALIFORNIA, July 28, 2017

YouTube Video - by Anthony Bernardi

On the eve of the second round of the AMA National Speedway Championship series Billy Janniro was tuning up. Janniro proved to again be the fastest man of the night winning his eighth scratch main event of the Fast Friday’s Motorcycle Speedway season at the Gold Country Fairgrounds Friday night. Trailing Luke Becker in the championship series by just three points, they will square off for the second round in Santa Maria Saturday night. Janniro was undefeated in the scratch program advancing to the main drawing lane two. Also in the scratch main were Bart Bast, Luke Becker, Charlie Venegas and Bryan Yarrow.

A restart was required because of a start gate malfunction and the riders lined up again. Without a hitch this time the gates flew up and Janniro bolted to the inside. On a nearly flawlessly prepared track the action had been fast all night. Janniro riding on his carbon fiber rear wheel got a good gate and took the lead staying a bike length ahead of Bast for the full four laps. Bast tried making charges but was unable to pass Janniro. Janniro again took the checkered flag for his third scratch main event win in a row and his eighth scratch main event win of the season. Bast was second, Becker was third and Yarrow fourth.

Janniro was also victorious in the Challenge Elimination Series winning the fourth of five spots for the championship round on August 25. The challenge consists of five riders racing in a series of one lap scratch races with the last place finisher being dropped from the contest. The races continue until just two final rider’s race for two laps the winner advancing to the championship.

Janniro was pitted against Bryan Yarrow, Charlie Venegas, Russell Green and Daniel Faria in round four. Yarrow was the first to go, Faria was next, Green then trailed leaving Venegas and Janniro to battle in the two lap finale. Again, finding the smooth track to his liking Janniro got an exceptional gate and led Venegas to the finish line. Janniro joins Tommy Hedden, Luke Becker, Louie Mersaroli and the winner of the fifth round in the exciting championship.

For the second time this season Daniel Faria cinched the win in the handicap main event. Faria, handicapped on the 40 yard line added another 10 yards to his handicap for next week. Faria won his handicap heat race then finished second in his handicap semi-final to advance to the main. Faria rode a great race also apparently liking the condition of the fast track, keeping just ahead of Luke Becker who starts 10 yards behind him. Faria was first, Becker was second, Russell Green was third. “Everything worked out pretty good tonight, it was perfect again, what can I say,” Faria said.

Experience and age paid off this week in Division II, as Rick Shafer who turns 59 years old next month pulled off a win in the main event. Shafer has raced speedway off and on since the mid-seventies and steadily since 2014 at Fast Fridays. Second was Shawn Eldredge, and third was Nick Dion. “It’s been many, many years since I have won a main event,” said Shafer. “I would say for an old guy I am not doing so bad against these youngsters, and I am looking forward to be coming off the 50 yard line in two weeks,” he said. Shafer was undefeated also winning his heat race to advance to the final. Casey Cornilsen also picked up his first main event win of the season in Division III. Peter Pecorilla was second and Ray Holt Jr. Jr. was third.

It was a big night for Dion Racing as brothers Anthony Dion and Timmy Dion delivered the one-two punch in the Youth Main Event. Anthony 15, and Timmy 12, each won both their heat races, advancing to the main. Anthony Dion won and Timmy Dion falling in turn one on the first lap recovered to still finish second. Greg Moore was third and Dylan Wagner was fourth. Landon Collins won the Youth Consolation Main Event followed by Chase Kangas in second, Sammy Tetrault in third and Dakota VanderBroeder in fourth.

Fast Fridays Results for 7-28-17

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

Scratch Consolation
1-Charlie Venegas, 2-Tommy Hedden, 3-Russell Green, 4-Louie Mersaroli

Handicap Main Event
1-Daniel Faria, 2-Luke Becker, 3-Russell Green, 4-Bart Bast, 5-Tommy Hedden, 6-Billy Janniro

Handicap Consolation
1-Charlie Venegas, 2-Blake Borello, 3-Shawn Eldredge, 4-Nick Dion

Division II Main Event
1-Rick Shafer, 2-Shawn Eldredge, 3-Nick Dion, 4-William McCloskey, 5-Brian Leventon, 6-Charles Haines

Division III Main Event
1-Casey Cornilsen, 2-Peter Pecorilla, 3-Ray Holt Jr. Jr., 4-Les Veale, 5-Steven Sagen

Youth Main Event
1-Anthony Dion, 2-Timmy Dion, 3-Greg Moore, 4-Dylan Wagner

Youth Consolation Main
1-Landon Collins, 2-Chase Kangas, 3-Sammy Tetrault

Challenge Elimination Series (Round 4)
1-Billy Janniro, 2-Charlie Venegas, 3-Russell Green, 4-Daniel Faria, 5-Bryan Yarrow

Pee Wee
1-Nick Hohlbein, 2-Wesley Rearick, 3-Derick Rogers

Photos By Michael Kirby

	Billy Janniro won his third in a row and eighth scratch main event of the Fast Fridays season Friday night. Janniro also won round four of the Challenge Elimination Series.
	Anthony Dion won the Youth Main Event just ahead of his younger brother Timmy Dion.
	Rick Shafer picked up his first Division II main event win.
	Billy Janniro (second from right) won the scratch main event.
	Daniel Faria picked his second handicap main event win of the season.
	On the winner’s podium for the Youth Main Event and celebrating with the Fast Fridays trophy girls are (left-right) Timmy Dion second place, Anthony Dion first place and Greg Moore third place.

	By Michael Kirby