The Dirt Track
Kern County Raceway Park

Bakersfield, California

2021/2022 Season Opener
KCRP Bakersfield - October 2, 2021
Promoted By: Steve Evans E-mail:dreamteamspeedway@sbcglobal.net

RUML RIDES TO PERFECTION TO TAKE BAKERSFIELD OPENER

New AMA National Speedway Champion Max Ruml followed up from his Championship with a flawless 5 ride maximum in the Season Opener at Kern County Raceway in Bakersfield, CA, on October 2nd.

Ruml was part of a 16 rider Division 1 program which was run using the Olympique race format, riders being handicapped in rounds 2 and 3 based on the finishing position in their previous race. Despite having to start two of his heats with a 30 yard penalty, Ruml was sublime and fought his way through traffic including a breathtaking last turn to finish line pass on Dan Faria in heat 5. Tied for second from the heats on 8 points were Russell Green and Team USA Speedway of Nations team member Blake Borello, who has noticeably stepped up a level following his return from Latvia. Eddie Castro and Rheten Todd had 7 points each, with Michael Wells and Faria on 5. This left one place in semi finals and it was decided by a run off with three riders tied on 4 points. In a gritty display 16 year old Alex Martin showed his enormous potential, defeating local veteran Brad Sauer and he fast rising Rees Todd to claim the last spot in the semis.

With 8 riders transferred racing resumed back the all scratch, riders from the line, format. Semi 1 saw Ruml ease home with Dan Faria in second, Castro third and Michael Wells retiring early on. Green led Borello in semi final #2, Rheten Todd kept on the pace in third with Martin 4th.

Ruml unsurprisingly picked the inside gate for the final and though he was ahead coming out of turn 2, Borello had a fabulous start and outside drive to slot into second with Green third and Faria fourth. Borello kept on the pace of Ruml, though never quite close enough to threaten. After a gargantuan last turn effort, Borello hit the dirt and came off the bike on the approach to the checkered flag. This promoted Green to second and Faria to third. Ruml, who was paraded around the track to rapturous applause ahead of the event, took a popular win, donning the race bib of the local Bakersfield Bandits team.

Before the semifinals, Green and Borello returned in the ‘Red White and Blue match race helmet challenge.’ Green was the title holder in his first defense. NorCal star Borello made a superb gate from the inside to win leg 1. Green, though on the ropes, mustered up a fabulous start to equal the score in leg two. In the final decider it was Green once more who made the better trap and despite the efforts of Borello, was able to comfortably defend his title.

Division Two was won by local rider Sean McDougall, who also won both of his heats. The B Final was won by Harold Hartke with heat wins also going to Mike Miller and Robert Curry. Another Bakersfield local Isaiah Canales won both Division 3 heats but Jake Myers rode a smooth made event while Canales and New York visitor Alan Bernklau engaged a fierce and wild rookie battle behind. Levi Leutz won the 250cc Junior class with a heat and Main victory, Jose Navarrete won the other heat. Robert and Laurie Curry swept the Sidecar Division, Jackson Joiner doing the same in the Pee Wee class. Curtis Peebles won the first Flat Track heat but son Blake Ash showed great pace to win heat 2 and the Main.

The halftime wheelie king show was won by local rider Robbie Sauer who was the unanimous favorite of the judges.

The event was the first of a monthly racing program which is scheduled to continue throughout the winter and into late Spring. The Bakersfield venue is already a firm favorite with riders and fans, it is a small 1/8 mile typical American track but with banking and dirt to make fast and exciting racing. The season two schedule continues on November 6th with the return of the popular Harley Night with an earlier 5pm start time.

Results

Division 1 Main Event
1 Max Ruml
321 Russell Green
105 Dan Faria
27 Blake Borello 2

Heat points: Max Ruml 9, Russell Green 8, Blake Borello 8, Eddie Castro 7, Rheten Todd 7, Dan Faria 5, Michael Wells 5, Alex Martin 4, Brad Sauer 4, Rees Todd 4, Robbie Sauer 3, Greg Moore 3, Mike Miller 2, Sara Cords 2, Fred Cook 1, Harold Hartke 0.

Heat 1: Ruml, Re Todd, Martin, Hartke
Heat 2: Castro, Faria, R Sauer, Miller
Heat 3: Borello, Rh Todd, Moore, Cords fell remounted
Heat 4: Green, Wells, B Sauer, Cook.
Heat 5: Ruml (30), Faria (20), Cords (0), Cook (0).
Heat 6: B Sauer (0), Rh Todd (20), Castro (30), Hartke (0),
Heat 7: Borello (30), Miller (0), Wells (20), Martin (10)
Heat 8: Green (30), R Sauer (10), Moore (10), Re Todd (20)
Heat 9: Ruml (30), Borello (30), Cook (0), Miller (20)
Heat 10: Martin (0), Wells (10), Faria (20), B Sauer (30)
Heat 11: Castro (10), Green (30), Moore (10), Hartke (0)
Heat 12: Rh Todd (20), Re Todd (0), Cords (10), R Sauer (20)
Run off for 8th: Martin, B Sauer, Re Todd
Semi 1: Ruml, Faria, Castro, Wells ret
Semi 2: Green, Borello, Rh Todd, Martin

Red White and Blue Helmet Match race: Green def Borello 2-1

Division 2 Main:
243 Sean McDougall
71 Mike Miller
3n Robert Curry
153 Brad Moreau (track limited penalty)

Division 2 Consi
290 Harold Hartke
151 Richard Perkins
111 David Newsham ret
115 Tom Settlemire non starter

Division 3 Main
175 Jake Myers
106 Isaiah Canales
69e Alan Bernklau
100 Samuel Richardson
234 Randy Carney

250 Junior Main
226 Levi Leutz
48 Jose Navarrete
29 Nick Hohlbein
123 Catherine Moore

Sidecar
31 Robert Curry / Laurie Curry
88 Wade Boyd / Eric Lindauer
47 Jason Fritze / David Bernardo

Pee Wee 50
26 Jackson Joiner
02 Axle Absher
819 Charlie Absher
125 Ryder Faria
314 Benjamin Benson
717 Joanna Benson

Wheelie King Contest
17 Robbie Sauer 28
214 Michael Wells 23
1776 Chucky Crash 23
40 Blake Ash 20
399 Rheten Todd 18