Costa Mesa Speedway
Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County Harley/Buell Motorcycle Blow Out!
Costa Mesa Speedway
May 18, 2002
From Ryan Evans
One week after 45 year old Bobby Schwartz won the Scratch Main, 45 year old "Flyin" Mike Faria took home top honors in the Scratch Main at Costa Mesa Saturday night.
Faria started fast as he trapped from gate four and held a slight advantage over Josh Larsen exiting turn two. Larsen challenged Faria on the inside entering turn three, but the former National Champion held him back. It was the only chance Larsen would have as Faria pulled away with each lap for the win. Larsen remained in second, Shawn McConnell was third, Chris Manchester was fourth, and Dukie Ermolenko was fifth.
When the eight-man Handicap Main event took to the track, the steady misting that had occurred all night had started to take its effect on the track. The weather made for slick conditions and gave the riders something else to think about as the race started. The first attempt would get no further than turn one because two separate incidents brought out the red flag. Andy Northrup and Eddie Castro went down, while Shaun Harmatiuk and Randy DiFrancesco got together. DiFrancesco was penalized for the restart.
On the restart, Brad Sauer took the lead from his 10 yard handicap. Sauer held the lead for a lap and a half before 18 year old Harmatiuk took over the lead, and for the third week in a row he was seeking his first Handicap Main victory. Larsen had worked through traffic to get into second on the fourth lap. Larsen closed on Harmatiuk and at the end of lap five he made his move. Harmatiuk tried to close the door as they entered turn one, but Larsen brushed him aside and sent Harmatiuk to the ground. Larsen was affected as well because the contact forced him off the precious inside line and allowed a very grateful McConnell to take over the lead. McConnell held the lead all the way to the checkered flag for his second Handicap Main Event win in a row. Larsen was second, Castro was third, DiFrancesco finished fourth, and Faria was fifth.
John DeFries was on a mission in the Support Main Event to prove that he belonged in First Division and he fulfilled it by making a mockery of the race and winning by half a lap. DeFries was second to Billy Braden before passing him on the back straight on the second lap. DeFries then opened up a gigantic lead and took the easy win. Colorado's Chuck Johansen was second, Braden was third, Dave Delbridge was fourth, and 2001 Support Points Champion David Lynch suffered an engine failure and finished fifth.
The first attempt to run the Support B Main Event ended abruptly as Craig Collier went head-over-heels in turn one and brought out the red flag. Rich Brock, racing at Costa Mesa for the first time, quickly took the lead on the restart and steadily pulled away to take the victory in very impressive fashion. Brian Hunt finished second, Rohn Zellner was third, Malcolm Roe finished fourth, Michael Novratil was fifth, and Collier was credited with sixth.
Despite the wet conditions, there was a good crowd for Harley Night. Costa Mesa is closed next Saturday due to the Memorial Day Holiday. Speedway returns to the world famous track on Saturday, June 1 with the ever-popular Freestyle Motorcycle Jumpers. This event never fails to be standing-room-only so get there early.
RESULTS
Support B Consolation
107 - Monte McKeon 20
102 - Jim Lavender 10
209 - Greg Vandemore 10 (penalty line)
155 - Kevin Templeton 10 (penalty line) (fell)
108 - Michael Hernandez 20 (fell)
Support B Consolation (restarted)
296 - Tom Rossano 20
176 - Carl Gazafy 20
144 - Tom Hamilton 20
169 - Dan Wensloff 10
105 - Mike Hernandez 20 (non starter - restart)
164 - Rusty Hall 10 (non starter - restart)
Support B Main Event (restarted)
138 - Rich Brock 10
332 - Brian Hunt 10
163 - Rohn Zellner 20
180 - Malcolm Roe 20
181 - Michael Novratil 20
133 - Craig Collier 10 (fell, excluded)
Support Consolation
240 - Hideaki Ota 10
118 - Scott Tidwell 20
106 - Robert Fiesler 10
103 - Brent Smith 10
196 - Rod Lenz 20
100 - Phil Harmatiuk 20
269 - Ed Martinez 20 (non starter)
Support Last Chance
117 - Billy Braden
125 - Johnny Lupo
198 - Mike Boyle
112 - Bryan Baichtal
Support Main Event
316 - John DeFries
45c - Chuck Johansen
117 - Billy Braden
338 - Dave Delbridge
131 - David Lynch (engine failure)
Handicap Main Event (restarted)
6 - Shawn McConnell 50 *started from the 60
2 - Josh Larsen 50
14 - Eddie Castro 40
12 - Randy DiFrancesco 40 (penalty line)
9 - Mike Faria 50
21 - Brad Sauer 10
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk 20 (fell)
166 - Andy Northrup 30 (retired)
Last Chance
6 - Shawn McConnell
12 - Randy DiFrancesco
11 - Bobby Schwartz
166 - Andy Northrup
Scratch Main Event
9 - Mike Faria
2 - Josh Larsen
6 - Shawn McConnell
1 - Chris Manchester
15 - Dukie Ermolenko
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