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Perris RacewayPerris, CaliforniaTeam Racing Final BECKER UNDEFEATED IN PERRIS RETURN Luke Becker returned from his World Under 21 adventures in Europe with a perfect score at Perris Raceway, CA, on 24th October. The event was billed ‘Team Racing Finals’, replacing the traditional three round Perris Spring league series that was halted in March due to Covid 19. On this occasion the team racing format more replicated the Speedway World Cup with usually one rider per team per heat. The format was loose with all three 500cc laydowns included as well as the Junior Speedway riders, riders of course racing within division. The local ‘Perris Eagles’ won their second team title with 83 points. Both the Ventura Vikings and Santa Maria Aces were close behind on 80 points, with the injury hit Huntington Beach Eagles a distant fourth on 64. Ahead of the Main Division 1 races, Max Ruml and Gino Manzares had a rematch for the ‘Red, White and Blue Helmet’ Match race challenge. Ruml won the inaugural staging 2-0 in September but Manzares earned a rematch as runner up to Ruml in last times Main Event. On this occasion Manzares took first blood with Ruml hitting back in leg two to force a decider. However, with both riders giving no quarter, Ruml and Manzares made contact in turn 1 with Manzares ending up in the crash wall. A back injury not only cost Manzares the chance to restart but also ended his night early. Ruml, who had made the best start in the decider, therefore retained the helmet whilst the Heathens teams were weakened for the upcoming team heats without their number 1 rider available. A large entry of 20 riders were in First Division. Becker and Max Ruml were undefeated in the heats, with Austin Novratil close behind on 11 points. Novratil dropped his only point in a third round tussle with Max which left those in attendance breathless. Sebastian Palmese had an exceptional night, scoring 10 points with Russell Green, returning after medical issues, also very solid on 10. Semi Final 1 saw Becker trap well from the outside, followed home by Green. Blake Borello, who scored a solid and consistent 9 heat points in third with Dillon Ruml, visibly lacking his usual pace, on fourth. The next semi had to be restarted after a fall put 61 year old legend Eddie Castro on the 20 yard penalty line for the restart. This time out Novratil got the better of Max Ruml in another close battle. Palmese was right on their tails in third place, with Castro in the rear. The Main event saw Becker once more get a super-fast trap from the outside, easing to the front. Meanwhile it was another battle royal between Ruml and Novratil for second. Novratil got the initial drop on his rival but Max timed a perfect pass. Green was at the back and positions were maintained throughout the rest of the race. Ruml’s pass on Novratil secured the needed points for the Eagles to win the team race. Becker, as the winner, becomes the contender to race Ruml for the match race helmet. A large entry in other Divisions meant a full race program. Division Two saw different heat winners in every heat, race wins going to Rees Todd, Mark Fillebrown, Mike Miller, Rudy Laurer and Harold Hartke. All five of these riders made the main event which Todd came out as the victor. Jason Lundberg won all Division Three races making it a Northern California clean sweep in the three laydown Divisions. Chris Mistretta won the first heat for Vintage / Upright bikes but the very pacey Matt Williams took heat 2 and the Main event. Slater Lightcap won both 250cc Junior heats with NorCal’s Alex Martin coming strong at the end to win the Main. Levi Leutz won all 150 Mini Speedway races; his heats being won from a handicap, the main event being an epic duel with Jose Navarette. Ryder Manzares won all three Pee Wee races. Neil Facchini took the Mini Bike TT Main Event. Adam Lesley won a close fought Hooligan Main Event. Jeff Johnson won the Flat Track final. After racing three hot summer events it was refreshing to have cooler Fall weather at the track. Perris, as a year round venue, never stops and the next two events are blockbusters with big titles on the line. November 14th has the staging of the AMA Under 21 & Youth Long Track National Championships, with December 14th being the FIM North America Final GP Qualifier, which is the biggest and most important event on the annual American calendar. Results; Team winners – Perris Eagles: Max Ruml, Russell Green, Timmy Dion, Michael Wells, Jonny Oakden, Rudy Laurer, Harold Hartke, Tom Bryant. Juniors: Slater Lightcap, Kensei Matsudaira, Max Anderson. Division 1 Heat Points: Luke Becker 12, Max Ruml 12, Austin Novratill 11, Russell Green 10, Sebastian Palmese 10, Blake Borello 9, Dillon Ruml 8, Eddie Castro 7, Anthony Dion 7, Rees Todd 6, Greg Moore 5, Timmy Dion 5, Kyle Cunningham 4, Sara Cords 4, Harold Hartke 3, Mark Fillebrown 2, Kayle LeoGrande 2, Michael Wells 1, Rohn Zellner 1, Mike Miller 0, Jonny Oakden 0. Main Event Red, White and Blue Helmet Match Race (Best of three, 2 laps) Division 2 Main Division 2 Consi Division 3 Main Event 250cc Junior Main Upright / Vintage Main 150 Mini Main Pee Wee Main Photos by Kenny Lonngren
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