1998 Fast Fridays Speedway Press Release

World Champion comes to Auburn

Fast Fridays is pleased to announce this Friday, July 10, 1998, the appearance of Greg Hancock, the current World Speedway Champion.

Greg, 28 years old, currently lives in Tamworth, England, but originates from Balboa Island, CA. He started racing as a junior Speedway rider in 1978, when he first rode at the Auburn track. Greg went on to senior Speedway in 1987 and in 1989 he moved to England to race for Cradley Heath, the British team for whom Americans Bruce Penhall, Bobby Schwartz, Lance King, and in recent years Greg's team-mate Billy Hamill have all ridden at world class level. He stayed with Cradley Heath until their closure 2 years ago, since when he has ridden for Coventry.

Greg has been a serious contender for the World Championship since 1993, when he first appeared in the World Final. After a disappointing result that year, he came back in 1994 to take 4th place. Since then he has ridden in every Grand Prix, finishing up an overall 4th in 1995, 3rd in 1996 and finally winning it last year in 1997. This is the highest pinnacle to which a Speedway rider can aspire, and his current challenge is maintaining the title.

Greg, along with Sam Ermolenko and Billy Hamill, have created America as a dominating power in world Speedway. They have ridden for Polish, Danish and Swedish leagues, at the same time as the British league, spending much of their lives flying back and forth around Europe. Greg is sponsored by Exide batteries, who have helped promote Speedway's image as a truly professional sport, all over Europe.

Greg is making his 1998 debut at Fast Fridays Auburn track debut in preparation for contending the AMA National Championship, which takes place here on September 25.

For a complete listing of the 1998 Fast Fridays season take a look at the web page at: 1998 Fast Fridays