Kevin Harvick’s
Kern Raceway

Bakersfield, California

2024 AMA FIM North America Speedway Final
Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Bakersfield
November 2, 2024
Results: Steve Evans
Photos by: Dale Miller

AMA FIM North America Final, Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Bakersfield, California Dec 7, 2024

KING LUKE THE FOURTH TAKES CONTINENTAL TITLE!

Luke Becker kicked off his campaign for a 2026 Grand Prix spot with an emphatic unbeaten display to take his 4th North American title, equalled the record of 1993 World Champion Sam Ermolenko on a warm winter’s day at Bakersfield.

16 of the best in America lined up for the traditional December race at Kern and it did not disappoint. Once more the traditional championship format was used with 20 heats and 5 races per competitor deciding the winner. Becker scored a 15-point maximum in the event, incredibly, for the third year in a row. Whilst the program shows 5 wins out of 5, and some by a big margin, it was not a complete walk in the park with several races having Becker come from behind but whether inside or outside, he got the job done.

Behind Becker there was a close pack of five riders separated by just two points. The decisive heat 20 win for Max Ruml over Slater Lightcap, Broc Nicol and Russell Green ultimately shuffled the pack with two-time champion and recently engaged Ruml coming out on top with 13 points. Surprise package was 17-year-old Charlie Trana who took three wins on the night to get third on 12 points. Trana has showed his potential on a 500cc bike in the last two seasons and after missing the AMA Under 21 National with injury, he made a big statement, defeating the like of Lightcap, Alex Martin and Billy Janniro on his way to the best night of his young career.

Trana’s night was testimony to not only his talent but the potential that is there for the future of American speedway on both sides of the pond. A point behind there was a three-way tie on 11. The count-back rules separated them with Alex Martin after a slow start to the meeting ending with two wins, securing 4th, Broc Nicol, who was in contention for second on the night up until his last ride 5th and Slater Lightcap in 6th.

Behind the top 6 there was many a talent. Russell Green put in a solid shift with 8 points, whilst Billy Janniro struggled with mechanical issues and was no doubt disappointed with just 7. Austin Novratil, the showman of American speedway certainly had one of his typical nights of racing extremes. Vehicle trouble on the way to the event meant he arrived just minutes before his first ride. He then unloaded his bike, suited up, jumped on and roared to an incredible dominant victory over Janniro and Lightcap. Next time out he repeated the feat against Ruml before a third place in ride three and then a meeting withdrawal with a cracked frame on his only bike!

It was a day to enjoy the absolute best of American speedway and the Kern track, as usual, delivered the goods.

Outside of Division 1, for the first time, FIM North America Championships were awarded to both junior classes and a total of 19 riders took part in 21 races with four heats per rider and a final to determine the titles. SGP4 World Cup winner Brady Landon was untroubled in the 250cc class whilst Kensei Matsudaira, fresh from a season of intercontinental road racing, was second. Jameson Hutchinson continued his improvement curve taking third.

The 13 rider 150cc class produced some fantastic action. There was also an added twist to the class for two riders will world aspirations. Both 2024 AMA National Champ Riley Rearick and 2023 winner Ryder Schultz had applied via Team USA to be nominated to race in the SGP4 world championship next year. However, with applicants from 15 countries, USA was only awarded one spot, so it was agreed with all parties in the run up to the event, that the highest placed rider in the final standings in this event would be nominated. In the final, it was 9-year-old Zaal Farhand, a rider who took his first speedway laps less than 18 months ago at the Team USA Junior Academy who got the best start. Schultz was in hot pursuit and for a while looked like he would make an outside pass. However, the wide line let Rearick into the battle and with Farhand holding his lead, Rearick made an inside dive for second on Schultz in turn 3 of lap 3. Schultz fought back on the last lap, but positions maintained with Farhand as Continental champion and Rearick in second winning the SGP4 place.

The three winners had lots of hardware to take home with cups presented by the tracks, trophies from FIM North America and for the 500cc class, the annual Rob ‘Sarge’ Fiesler Memorial trophy honoring the late and much-loved former rider, sponsor, and police officer. Fiesler’s sons and grandson were in attendance as they presented the trophy for the 6th time.

A 6 rider Support class completed the speedway portion of the program with local rider Isaiah Canales winning two heats and the final with the other heat going to Cameron Dalbey.

Though the 2024 race schedule is over there is no winter break with the New Year’s Classic next up on January 4th, followed by the groundbreaking first ever international test match with Team USA taking on Team GB on February 1st. An eleven-date expanded schedule for 2025 has been announced with racing every month except for the hot summer months of July and August.

Results
American Final
22 Luke Becker 15
1 Max Ruml 13
66 Charlie Trana 12
Alex Martin 11, Broc Nicol 11, Slater Lightcap 11, Russell Green 8, Austin Novratil 7, Billy Janniro 7, Levi Leutz 5, Justin Almon 5, Timmy Dion 4, Rees Todd 3, Eddie Castro 3, Greg Moore 2, Jordan Vanderham 2.

250cc Junior Main
13 Brady Landon
74 Kensei Matsudaira
13 Jameson Hutchinson
50 Wesley Rearick
Heat Points: Landon 12, Hutchinson 8, Matsudaira 8, Rearick 6, Leeann Emerson 2, Caden Cavrikas 0.

150cc Mini Main
98 Zaal Farhand
05 Riley Rearick
22 Ryder Schultz
44 Brandon Kemmerly
Points: Schultz 11, Farhand 11, Rearick 10, Kemmerly 9, Brandon Soto 8, Zander Schroeder 7, Hudson Jones 6, Brady Wills 6, Leeann Emerson 3, Liam Falcon 3, Gavin Seeley-Evans 2, Logan Kerr 2, William Bruce 0

Support Main
106 Isaiah Canales
400 Avant LeGarde
155 Cameron Dalbey
123 Catherine Moore
187 Josh King (20)
133 Brandon Hendrickson (20) nonstarter
Points: Canales 6, Dalbey 5, Moore 3, LeGarde 2, Hendrickson 2, King 0.

Photos by: Dale Miller

250cc Junior Champion Brady Landon and 2024 AMA FIM North America Speedway Champion Luke Becker

250cc Juniors (L-R) Jameson Hutchinson, Brady Landon and Kensei Matsudaira

150cc Mini's (L-R) Brandon Kemmerly, Zaal Farhand, Riley Rearick, Ryder Schultz

(L-R) Max Ruml, Luke Becker, Charlie Trana