Fast Fridays Speedway
Gold Country Fairgrounds
Auburn, California
Fast Friday's Motorcycle Speedway
Gold Country Fairgrounds
Janniro is Fast Fridays Ironman
By Michael Kirby (Story & Photos)
AUBURN, CALIFORNIA, July 26, 2013
YouTube Go Pro - From Anthony Bernardi - [Some great helmet cam via Billy Janniro and others.]
Billy Janniro's winning streak was kept in tack Friday night at the Fast Friday's Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn with another night of double main event wins. This week Janniro's double Division I main event wins included a special twist. One of his victories was in the handicap main event that was a special 25 lap endurance test for the 12 riders that qualified. The handicap distances were doubled and Janniro still came out on top starting 120 yards back from the start line with a handful of other high handicapped riders. He was able to overcome the distance and after a dozen laps worked his way to the front of the pack. The race was over four times as long as a regular six lap handicap race and Fast Fridays starter Mark Joiner had his hands full just keeping track of the lap count.
Auburn's Tyler Warren held onto the lead for most of the race after PJ Byrne dropped, but was passed by Janniro on the final laps. It was the third time this year Janniro has won both the main events in an evening. Auburn's Bart Bast passed Warren near the finish line in a thrilling second place finish. Warren ended up third, and Bob Hicks was fourth. The race was truly a test of speedway endurance for the riders as Janniro stood dripping in sweat after the race. "I'm actually not that tired considering how many laps we did," Janniro said. "The first few laps I didn't want to push the bike, then about half way through I just rode a one speed and knew each lap I could catch them."
Most of the riders coasted to the inside of the track with mechanical problems during the marathon race. Only six of the riders finished the race. For a few riders gas consummation during the race was an issue. "I ran out of gas on the cool off lap," said Bast, last year's ironman winner. His bike also coughed a little on the final lap as his fuel ran low.
Janniro also turned in another stellar performance and won the scratch main event in the same convincing style that he has all season. His total now stands at six scratch main event wins this season and his third scratch main event win in a row at Fast Fridays. Charlie Venegas was second, Tommy Hedden third and Bryan Yarrow was fourth.
Kyle Marsalla of Carmichael won the Division II main event for the second time this season. Marsalla is in only his second season of racing speedway and his first season in Division II. "For me it's a mental game, and I feel like I'm figuring it out finally," Marsalla said, trophy in hand. "Practice make perfect." Nick Dion was second and David Mersaroli was third. Kyle Porteous topped the Division III with a win in the main event, and Auburn's Colton Hicks won the Youth 250cc main event. Courtney Crone, a newcomer to Fast Fridays, breezed to a first place finish in the Youth 125cc division main event. Dylan Sudtell won the Run What U Brung main event.
Next week the Extreme Sidecars return to Fast Fridays riding their 1100cc three wheeled bikes at incredible speeds in a thrilling show.
Results from Fast Friday's for 7-26-13
Division 1 Scratch Main Event
1-Billy Janniro, 2-Charlie Venegas, 3-Tommy Hedden, 4-Bryan Yarrow
Division I Handicap Main Event-(25 Lap)
1-Billy Janniro, 2-Bart Bast, 3-Tyler Warren
Division II Main Event
1-Kyle Marsalla, 2-Nick Dion, 3-David Mersaroli
Division III Main Event
1-Kyle Porteous, 2-Kurt Kornchuk, 3-Harlan Bast
Youth 250cc Division Main
1-Colton Hicks, 2-Luke Becker, 3-Gage Geist
Youth 150cc Division 1
1-Courtney Crone, 2-Sterling Martin, 3-Dylan Wagner
Youth 150cc Division 2
1-Logan Hedden, 2-Alex Martin, 3-Gregory Moore
Run What U Brung
1-Dylan Sudtell
Photos By Michael Kirby
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