Source: Tim Kennedy
Date: 01/20/2008

LOS ANGELES, California- Speedway motorcycle racing competitors, promoters, officials, sponsors and supporters from every speedway on the West Coast that hosts this exciting form of motor-sports came together Sunday, January 13 from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m for a free BBQ lunch/awards ceremony. More than 300 persons attended the day of camaraderie and celebration for the love of the sport with no profit or hidden agendas. The site was the spacious, carpeted building just west of Industry Speedway in "The Grand" arena on the grounds of the Industry Hills Expo Center on a sunny, clear 70-degree afternoon. The first combined speedway cycle racing awards presentation was arranged by the new USA Speedway organization, the exclusive competition affiliate of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). New leadership and board members are in place under the leadership of Harald "Howie" Zechner, of Pasadena. His title is chairman of the board. Howie organized this new event to follow two years of speedway cycle awards ceremonies on the S.S Queen Mary in Long Beach under the AMA banner.

The new USA Speedway organization replaced AMA, which is a membership organization that sanctioned professional motorcycle competition, but did not promote racing events. When AMA and competition director Bill Amick stopped writing checks, speedway cycle partisans decided they could do the job better themselves for their small, niche sport. The current situation is reminiscent of AAA being replaced by USAC as sanctioning body for open-wheel auto racing in this country after the 1955 season. The nine-member USA Speedway board of directors has nine votes, one per person, with one vote for AMA. New board members include Zechner, Dave Joiner, the promoter of Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, CA, Bill Cody, Gary Hicks, Sr., Ryan Evans, Paul Flanders, Rick Miller, Brian Gains, from Indianapolis, and AMA representative Ken Saillant, from Ohio. The board motto could be stated, "Help us help you," stated Zechner. It's a time of change and a new beginning for speedway motorcycle racing throughout the United States. The web site is www.usaspeedway.org. Old speedway cycle racing programs from many tracks, such as Ascot Park, Irwindale Raceway (which operated from 1970-77) and many more, may be viewed at www.speedway.org/programs.

The entrance to the large building used for the luncheon/award ceremonies had about 25 classic and vintage speedway cycles on display. Cycles included those of current riders Buck Blair and Billy Hamill's full body GP cycle. Vintage cycles included Jack Milne's 1937 world championship bike and Cordy Milne's JAP bike. There was a two-cam JAWA, and two cycles (a long-track JAWA and 890 JAWA) used by Ivan Mauger, winner of more than 1,000 speedway cycle international events in 26 countries during his illustrious career. Also on display were a Mk 1 Maely, a new ESO and a Weslake. Early arrivals could watch on a large TV the DVD "Once a Jolly Swagman", a movie made about speedway cycle racing during 1937 in London, England. Tables near the entrance had many personal scrapbooks, photo books and 2008 track schedules. There were 30 tables set for 10-persons per table at the south end of the site for the sit-down luncheon. An elevated stage with a rostrum was at the east-end of the large building and a no-host bar was located at the south end. Food was prepared outside on a BBQ and brought into the building at 3:00 for buffet-style serving.

Shortly after 4:00 p.m, co-emcees/speedway cycle track announcers Bruce Flanders (Industry Speedway) and Terry Clanton (Costa Mesa Speedway) shared the microphone and moved the planned schedule along. They introduced celebrities and called them to the rostrum for remarks to the audience, which included families and many young children scampering around. Speakers included 21-year speedway cycle great Barry Briggs, 73, from New Zealand. He won the World Individual Finals in 1957, '58, '64 and '66. Bruce Penhall, a 50-year old two-time World Champion in 1981-82, Sam Ermolenko, 1993 World Champion, and Billy "The Bullet" Hamill, who called the first USA Speedway event "awesome". Hamill said, "AMA sanctioning of speedway racing needed to crash. It turned a negative into a positive." He added that he won't race in Europe in 2008, but he will race in the USA in '08 and hopes to develop the next speedway cycle World Champion via the Gumball Rally for Junior riders. Long-time sanctioning body SRA, then AMA's disappointing speedway cycle effort preceded USA Speedway, which has the 2008-rule-book out already.

Other speakers were Charlie "the Edge" Venegas, the 40-year old 2007 AMA ICE Racing and Industry Speedway champion, riders Nate Perkins, Bobby Schwartz, age 50 and still racing his JAWA cycle, and retired Mike Bast, from northern California. "My uncle Harlan (Bast) turned 72 in November and still races speedway cycles in Auburn." Billy Gray, who played son Bud Anderson on the 1960s TV series "Father Knows Best" starring Robert Young, raced speedway cycles while acting on the show. He spoke about his Speedway racing career. He said he made two main events in his career, including a feature at the long-gone Irwindale track. "I started on the outside and there were a record 16 lead changes in that race. Somehow I won."

Sammy "the Flying Flea" Tanner was in the audience. The long-time flat track racer (No. 7 plate) is now an Arai helmet distributor and still attends speedway cycle races. Sammy told me he raced a midget once and in 1959 raced Hank Higuchi's CRA sprint car twice. It was the car Indy 500 vet Jim Hurtubise had driven. Two late 2007 deceased members of the speedway cycle fraternity were remembered. Steve Bast succumbed on 10/30/07 in an Auburn hospital from complications after kidney and heart failure. The six-time California State Champion was 55. Randy Evans, 32, died 9/26/07. The 1990 Junior National Champion had been in rehabilitation for 12 years following his 8/26/95 crash and head injuries at Victorville Speedway. He is the brother of former rider and current speedway cycle pit steward Ryan "Clipboard" Evans.

Speedway cycle track promoters then took the rostrum and made remarks about the state of speedway cycle racing. Then they made their 2007 track award presentations. Former speedway cycle racer and second- generation promoter Brad Oxley (son of long-time Costa Mesa Speedway promoter Harry Oxley) was first to speak. He said his Costa Mesa track celebrates 40 years of speedway cycle racing this year. He has 16 races scheduled on Saturday nights from the annual Spring Classic on May 3 through October 11. Oxley said the 2008 USA Speedway rules are the same as the original 1930-era rules. They specify which officials a promoter must hire (starter, referee, pit steward, scorer, back gate, etc.). He asked the new USA board "to pick-up the slack and disband the rules and start promoting speedway cycle racing." Articulate Oxley stated, "Speedway cycle racing needs a new agenda. USA Speedway should be an association to promote the sport of speedway cycle racing. It shouldn't be only the job of the promoter to promote speedway racing. The challenge is before us. We must serve fans, riders and supporters of speedway."

Oxley then presented appreciation plaques to long-time supporters at his Costa Mesa track. They included Gary and Sandy Hicks, his sister Lauri Oxley, and new USA Speedway chairman Howie Zechner. "USA Speedway is now in good hands with Howie," Oxley added. Others receiving plaques from Oxley were: Dave and Maryann Joiner, who did the cooking and KP duties; Industry Speedway promoters Hugh Randolph, 75, Lee Crecelius and Kelly Inman; promoters Steve Evans and John Aden (Victorville Speedway) and Jerry Lytton, of Lake Elsinore Speedway; pit steward Ryan Evans, and long-time speedway backer Warren Russell, sponsor of 20+ riders over the years including Bobby Schwartz currently.

USA Speedway rules committee chairman Dave Joiner spoke and revealed the names of the nine-member USA Speedway rules committee. They are Duane Yarrow, Richard Child, Drew Gatewood, Joe Jones, Jim Terchila and AMA's Saillant, of Ohio. Long-time speedway cycle official George Rich, 86, is an honorary member of the rules committee. The rules committee chairman only votes to break a tie. Joiner, celebrating 25 years at Fast Fridays, then presented the 2007 rider awards for his track. They included: champions of Division 3-No. 109 Danny Faria, 25 (son of past champion Mike); Division 2-No. 132 Jim Lewis, 31, and Division 1-No. 40 Tommy Hedden, 34, who said he has been racing speedway cycles for 24 years. Most Improved Rider was No. 212 Kenny Ingalls, 20, who won a 2007 scratch main at Auburn. Kenny said he hopes to race a speedway cycle in Sweden in May. Teen Thomas Wright went from 80-cc to 250-cc and scored four points.

Promoter Steve Evans, who was born in England, presented his Victorville Speedway awards for 2007. Champions: D-1-No. 39 Buck Blair, 29, D-2-No. 77 Bryan "The Bumblebee" Buffington, and D-3-No. 152 Fred Remington. A special award went to John Marquez (No. 241), Under age 21 rider was No. 142 Ricky Wells, 16. Evans presented Most Improved Rider awards to D-1-No. 201 Dale Facchini, 19, D-2-No. 232 Allen Doss, and Juniors-No. 8 Austin Novratil. The Most Exciting/Most Loyal Rider Award went to No. 14 Eddie Castro, 48, for running in all 25 events. Evans presented a special appreciation award to pit steward Ryan Evans. Zechner then read Chris Agajanian's E-mail suggesting that the USA Speedway ceremonies should remember the late Steve Bast, the 1969 and 1974 US Speedway champion. Steve, the brother of six-time California State Champion Mike Bast, was the first American member of the British League Wembly Lions speedway team in England. Howie also remembered motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, who died 11/30/07 at age 69. A tape of perhaps the final interview with Knievel played on the large TV after the awards ceremonies. The 35-minute interview was taped 7/17/07 at the Haunted Saloon.

Promoter/five-year speedway rider Nate Perkins (a D-1 main winner) spoke about his Fort Mohave, AZ (Colorado River/Lake Havasu area) speedway cycle track on the Mohave tribe Indian reservation. He said Duke Ermolenko got him started in speedway cycles and Charlie Venegas has helped him a lot. Nate presented the third appreciation award to official Ryan Evans, who spoke about his love for speedway cycle racing as a Junior-rider and pit steward. He also expressed thanks from him and his mom Barbara for all the messages of sympathy received from speedway racers following the death of his brother Randy four months ago. Perkins final appreciation award went to his father for all the laps he turned driving the water truck and for his track preparation work. In conclusion, Nate said, "Promoting is hard work." The Perkins family said they intend to continue their promotional efforts.

Industry Speedway: American Speedway Coalition co-promoters (Randolph, Crecelius and Inman) came to the rostrum together. They said the 2008 schedule is not finalized yet, but Industry Hills Expo Center management definitely wants speedway cycle racing to continue at The Grand in 2008 on Wednesday nights. Friday racing was not possible because of too many schedule conflicts. Opening night will be May 21 with the following week dark because of the Memorial Day holiday. There will be 12 to 15 race dates in 2008, down from 21 in 2007. The season will conclude in late August because of the Los Angeles County Fair (in nearby Pomona) beginning in early September and kids returning to school then also. The name of the 2008 promoter is not known yet, but several parties are interested in pursuing the role. American Speedway Coalition will not seek the promotion rights after running the track for two of the four years it has existed. "We need to make a living," said Crecelius. He said the track might add more entertainment draws such as bands in the front courtyard before each Wednesday night event.

Andrea Phillips, a representative of The Trailblazers organization, spoke about her group and invited more speedway cycle fans to join flat track racers in the motorcycle appreciation organization. Then Yorba Linda resident Ricky Wells, 16, received his Under 21 Speedway Cycle National Championship award from USA's Zechner and Joiner. Wells is Mr. July 2008 in the Justice Brothers Inc. 2008 racing calendar. The duo then presented Jason (No. 66) Ramirez the Junior Division Rider of the Year plaque. Ryan Evans received the digital media award for all his hard work at numerous speedway cycle venues. Charlie Venegas received the 2007 AMA ICE Speedway Cycle championship award after his triumph in a ten-race series back east last winter. He said he plans to leave soon to attempt back-to-back titles on ice.

The top honor of the day went to 37-year old Carlsbad resident Billy Hamill for winning the three-race 2007 Speedway National Championship Series, conducted at tracks in Auburn (2 races) and Costa Mesa (1 race). The 1996 World Champion and four-time California State Champion accepted the No. 1 plate and urged everyone to support the Gumball Rally. He said the event ran the last two years at Perris Raceway (1201 Burton Rd, Perris). All 2,000-raffle tickets for door prizes (caps, tools, tires, speedway season passes, videos, and "Saugus Speedway" by Harold Osmer book) and a 50/50 drawing were sold out earlier in the afternoon. It was time for the 50/50 cash drawing at the end of the award ceremonies. Third place (ticket #5478) paid $100, second place (#6525) received $200 and first place (ticket #6537) awarded $425. Remarkably, with 2,000 ticket stubs in the hopper, the same man won both second and first place-money for a $625 payday. He said he bought 30 tickets. "I think I'll go buy a lottery ticket or go to Las Vegas," he said as he left our table of ten to collect his second cash award in a row. The function concluded at 6:30 p.m and it was still 59-degrees. Many attendees remained in the building to watch Speedway cycle racing tapes or DVDs and talk racing until almost 9:00 p.m. The popular USA Speedway BBQ/Awards Ceremonies proved to be an innovative event this year. Zechner said it might become an annual event if the USA Speedway board approves his proposal to make it an annual post-season event. He thanked the Joiners for all their work on the BBQ, Paul Flanders (brother of MC Bruce) and Carol Perez, of The Grand Promotions, for being such a great landlord in providing suitable space for such a large function.

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