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Sideways Saturdays Speedway
Cal Expo - Sacramento, California
Week 5
Saturday July 18, 1998 - Cal Expo
By: Gary Roberts
Considering the fact that the temperature in Sacramento has been well
over 100 degrees most of the week, the track was in amazingly good
shape. There were some good races, but some serious looking accidents.
This resulted in several delays, which lead to the last few events
having to be rushed to try to meet the 10pm. curfew. Throughout the
evening the most disturbing sight was the number of engine kill switches
which failed to shut off the engine when needed. What possible benefit
can a rider gain by having a non-functional kill switch?
Scratch Main
1. Jim Sisemore
2. Charlie Venegas
3. Bobby Hedden
4. Mike Faria
Exactly the same four as the previous night in the scratch main. Charlie
led for the first couple of laps, but once Jimmy got past, he pulled out
a comfortable lead. As was mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Jimmy
Sisemore is now riding the Ed Rose GM Laydown. A couple of weeks ago
some valves were damaged and thanks to Greg Hancock bringing replacement
parts with him last week, the machine is now back together and winning
races.
Scratch Consolation
The meeting ran out of time. I was told this event would be run next
week.
Handicap Main
Declared winner was Harlan Bast Junior.
Ian Ferris fell down and the
race was stopped. Other competitors were Billy Janniro, Tommy Hedden, Bart Bast, Robert Curry.
Handicap Consolation
1. Jim Sisemore
2. Mike Faria
3. Pat Linn
4. Chad Felicio
5. Bob Hicks
Charlie Venegas qualified for the race but was a non-starter.
Division 2 Main
1. John O'Connell
2. Mike Browne
3. Scott Olney
4. Mike Gildersleeve
5. Shawn Eldridge
6. Scott McNeil
Division 2 Consolation
This race was stopped after a horrendous looking crash involving Ted Taylor and Tom Adams . Both walked away from it, extremely slowly. I bet
they are sore this morning! Also in the race were Dick Vargas, Harlan Bast Snr., Dave Booth,
and Greg Howell.
Division 3 Main
1. Bobby Chipman
2. Kevin Fereira
3. Billy Dixon
4. Brian Leventon
5. David Lee
6. Corey Call
Also qualifying for this race were Troy Burton,
and Derek Silva
Division 3 Consolation
1. Harry Bradwell
2. Richard Powell
3. Dave Munna
4. Les Veal
5. Tom Castagnola Snr.
6. Geno Bellino
7. Bill Warnock
Also qualifying for the race was Ivan Sevart,
who could well have
finished among the above placing's, its difficult to follow with so many
riders. Not qualifying for the race, but definitely there was Rich Mignano . He made himself know by hitting the turn 4 crash wall, bouncing
back into the infield narrowly missing the starting gate, but collecting
a straw bale and finally coming to rest by colliding with the show bike
that was on display in the center field. Rich looked OK, but
embarrassed.
Division 1 Juniors
1. Eric Carrillo
2. AJ Jones
3. Bryan Yarrow
Division 2 Juniors
1. Matt Browne
2. Jonathan Curry
Scott Hawley
and Matt Browne fell.
Division 3 Juniors
1. Ray Linn
2. Brenton Bast
3. Mark Carrillo
4. Chris Smith
Eric Carrillo's brother, 11 year old Mark rode his first race, looking
very steady. The night before, Derek Silva 's 12 year old sister Lynn was
due to make her first appearance, but had mechanical troubles. Its
encouraging to see new junior riders coming into the sport.
The crowd was again small, despite a lot of effort in getting the word
around about the event. There is another AMA points meeting next
Saturday and a Track Championship the following Saturday, after which
the Cal Expo season will end. The promoters indicated that its unlikely
that it will re-open next year.
The new Livermore track is on plan to
open August 15. The crash walls were delivered last week and volunteers
are needed to help putting it together. If anyone who lives in this area
is available to help out for an evening or two, please send me an E-mail.
We need all the help we can get.
Gary Roberts - gary_rob@ix.netcom.com
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