New Champion Speedway
344 East River Drive
Owego, New York 13827

Champion Track Championship
August 22, 1998 Champion Speedway
From: Larry McBride and Tim Mathewson

Diem wins again! McBride takes Track Championship

Elliott Ness would have been proud to have Warren Diem on his staff Saturday night at Champion Speedway in Owego NY as he was absolutely a truly Untouchable. Mounting a borrowed box stock lay down Jawa that appeared to be jet fuel powered, Diem totally dominated every one of his four heats, his semi, and a $200.00 Dash for Cash, cosponsored by Southern Tier Harley/Race Tools of Rochester and JBR Racing - on his way to scoring his third victory of the East Coast Speedway season.

With four riders already occupying starting positions for the scratch main - the fifth spot was determined by a last chance qualifier. As in all previous events this race again could have been billed as a main event.

On the starting grid was Gene Bonsignore, Lenny Dillon, George Lazor, and Frank Watson. Out of gate one Bonsignore had the lead off the start until turn four when Dillon pulled along side where he remained until turn three that took him nearly to the wall, giving the lead back to Bonsignore. Dillon recovered quickly and again was wheel to wheel in turn two and three on the outside. A third rider JBR Racing/NJK Leathers/Cody-Jawa/Race Tools/SKID-LID Airbrushing sponsored Lazor decided to join the party, and was also wheel to wheel with Bonsignore on the inside. Out of turn two and down the back straight Cody-Jawa/Snap on Tools sponsored Bonsignore, sandwiched between Lazor and Dillon, got bumped back to third.

Never more than a half bike length apart, Dillon gallantly tried to gain ground on the outside of Lazor. Unable to advance there Dillon dove to the inside of Lazor on turn three, getting a little to sideways he moved Lazor out to where he got enough traction to beat Dillon by a half bike length to the finish line to secure the transfer spot to the main.

Getting an equal start off the gate with Lenny McBride, Lazor, Tom Sephton, and Bruce Nelson - Diem still was two length ahead of McBride down the back straight. All riders stayed fairly equal on the first few turns, however the Southern Tier Insul/Skyla Diner/MRT Racing/Diems Cycle/Bennetts Auto/Master Cycle sponsored Diem Jawa had such superior power on the straights it appeared to be a matter of fact race with Diem taking an easy checkered flag.

Although Diem took his third victory of the year, the coveted track championship eluded him. Entering the last regular race of the season Diem found himself eight points behind leader McBride.

The point spread changed quickly however when, after winning his first heat, Anton's Pizzeria/Tony B Tires sponsored McBrides was leading his second heat when his 13 year old Godden decided it needed medical attention after it eat its cam bearing, but kept going long enough for a third place finish and one point.

Borrowing a Jawa from promoter Jason Bonsignore - McBride kept his championship chances alive by finishing his heats with a second and a first. After several set up adjustments McBride won his semi. With those finishes and a second place in the main, Bride captured the track championship for the second year by only three points.

Cam Rafferty continued his assault on the Support A class. Rafferty again took the checkered flag in his heat, semi, and final events. At 14 years old Rafferty, the former flat track racer, is definitely on track to a Division One transfer booth.

Support B Class winners circle was also occupied by a convert from the flat track ranks. Todd Hunter, in only his second appearance on a speedway bike, won that class as he did in his first showing at New Champion Speedway.

Division 1. Main: 1. Warren Diem(Jawa); 2. Lenny McBride (God); 3. Bruce Nelson (God); 4. Tom Sephton (God); 5. George Lazor (Jawa).

Support B: 1. Todd Hunter (Jawa); 2. Dave Smith (Jawa): 3. Steve Sunderland (Jawa): 4. Mike Robinson ( Jawa); 5. Andy Yarwood (Jawa). Support A: 1. Cam Rafferty (God): 2. Joe Veninsky (Jawa): 3. Joe Greene (Jawa); 4. Jeremiah Smith (Jawa).

Dash for Cash: Warren Diem
1998 Track Champion: Lenny McBride.

Larry McBride
411 Bevier St.
Binghamton, NY 13904-2628

From: Tim Mathewson

Support B Main (handicap)
1) Todd Hunter, Binghamton
2) Dave Smith
3) Steve Sunderland, Painted Post
4) Craig Baker, Rochester
5) Mike Robinson, New Zealand
6) Andy Yarwood, Vestal

Support A Main (handicap)
1) Cam Rafferty, Binghamton
2) Joe Veninsky, Port Crane
3) Joe Green, Port Crane
4) Jerimia Smith, Port Crane

Racetools /Southern Tier Harley-Davidson Dash for Cash "Last Man Standing " format
Warren Diem, Conklin

Division 1 Last Chance Qualifier
George Lazor, Hamlin

Division 1 Main (scratch)
1) Warren Diem
2) Lenny McBride, Binghamton
3) Bruce Nelson, Lisle
4) Tom Sephton, Vestal
5) George Lazor

For more information call 716-723-9746