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2000 North American Archive of International Speedway

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July 28, 2000

From: speedboy@uni-paderborn.de
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: The Future of the SGP
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 19:37:07 +0200

Today I found this information on the SGP website (www.speedwaygp.com):

 THERE will be a major announcement about the future of the Speedway Grand
 Prix at 18.30 hrs (BST) on Saturday, July 29th.

 That announcement will be included on this website at that time.

regards,
-- 
martin
From: jan@staechmann.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Jan / Brian Andersen
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 19:51:29 +0100

Well, the cat's out of the bag.

Just had a 'phone call this morning to say that I am in fact being replaced
with Brian Andersen.

I get one more meeting next Friday 4th August, as Brian has Swedish
commitments.

I'm pretty disappointed, especially after making the effort of getting my
dad to take time of work, to drive the 2000mile round trip over here with my
Danish engines so I could ride at Poole, when all 3 of my UK engines broke
down in as many meetings.

But hey - that's twice this year that I've spoken to Steve Purchase! (Still
not seen him yet this year).

Best wishes Jan
From: rowe.m@cableinet.co.uk
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Does anyone know...
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 20:52:38 +0100

Hi everybody, I'm in touch with Elaine Guasco by e-mail,whose late husband
Gordon rode for Wolves and Poole back in the sixties. She told me she would
like to chase up a MARGARET CRESSWELL so Margaret if your out there, or
anyone who knows
about her,please contact me on my e-mail address below

Robert.rowe@cableinet.co.uk

Thanks a lot
Bob
From: Sideways31@aol.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: San Bernardino Results - July 27, 2000
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 16:10:13 EDT

Speedway racing returned to the National Orange Show in San Bernardino for 
the first time since 1987 and the riders treated the fans to some 
entertaining racing and perhaps the rebirth of regular speedway racing at one 
of Southern California's historic speedway venues.   
Billy Janniro almost gave the lead away on two occasions but held on to 
capture the  Scratch Main.  Janniro took the lead from the pole and was 
quickly challenged on the outside by Bobby Hedden.  As they came off turn 
four the first time, Janniro led on the inside line, but Hedden stayed wide 
and Josh Larsen challenged him for second.  Larsen took control of second as 
they exited turn two and began chasing Janniro.  Janniro parked badly in turn 
three which forced Hedden a little wider than he wanted and out of 
contention, and it also allowed Larsen and Ryan Fisher to close a lot of 
ground.  Janniro opened up his lead again and was on his way to victory when 
he hit a hole in turn four and straightened up toward the fence.  Larsen and 
Fisher tried to capitalize on the mistake, but Janniro won the three-man drag 
race to the finish ahead of Larsen and Fisher.
Mike Mattocks, racing for the first time since a horrific crash at Costa Mesa 
earlier this year, took the lead from the 10 yard line in the Handicap Main.  
Mattocks was quickly displaced by Ian Ferris who immediately stretched his 
lead.  The back yardage riders made their way past Mattocks as Janniro, 
Fisher, and Larsen set out after Ferris.  Ferris never relented and 
maintained a comfortable lead through lap four when the action got wild 
behind him.  Janniro was running second when Fisher lifted in turn four and 
took him down and forced several riders to take evasive action.  
Surprisingly, there was no red flag and the race was allowed to continue.  
Ferris took the victory ahead of Fisher who was able to stay upright despite 
his contact with Janniro, Hedden finished third, Randy DiFrancesco finished 
fourth, and Larsen finished fifth.  Janniro, expecting a red flag, argued 
vehemently with the referee when he didn't get one and returned to the pits 
shaking his head in disbelief.
Brent Smith was alone on the 10 yard line and led the beginning of the Second 
Division Main Event.  Smith established a sizable lead over the field as the 
riders behind him continuously swapped positions.  17 year old Shaun 
Harmatiuk emerged from the pack in second place and began chipping away at 
Smith's lead.  As they took the white flag Harmatiuk was on Smith's back tire 
and made an inside move as they entered turn one.  Harmatiuk exited turn two 
with the lead and led Smith to the checkered flag to take the victory.  Billy 
Lyons finished third, Bill McCarley finished fourth, and Rudy Laurer finished 
fifth.
The evening also brought the innovation of the Dash for Cash Challenge.  This 
was established for the First Division riders who didn't compete in the 
scratch heats.  It was established to give these riders some valuable laps on 
the track and scratch experience.  It featured two heats with the top two 
transferring to the Dash for Cash Challenge Main Event.  Danny Perkins, who 
had his usual large entourage of fans, was a very popular winner of the main 
event with a superbly smooth performance.  
Charlie "The Edge" Venegas and Dukie Ermolenko joined forces as C & C 
Promotions to bring speedway racing back to San Bernardino. The track was 
built inside the stock car track and measured approximately 250 yards around 
the pole. 
Although this was considered a one-night event, the purpose of promoting the 
event was to establish another speedway venue in Southern California for 
riders to compete on, to branch the sport into other geographical areas, and 
to help develop some young riders that could eventually race overseas.  
Venegas and Ermolenko have high aspirations for the future of speedway in San 
Bernardino and if all goes well, not only will they promote weekly events in 
the future, but they have plans for special events as well.  As with all 
ventures, not everything can go absolutely perfectly.  The track had some 
problems staying together and developed some rough spots.  However, the 
riders put on a great show, were very happy with the size and overall design 
of the track, and they're quite confident that the track will succeed and 
indicated that they would like to race there on a regular basis.  The most 
important thing was the good fan turnout and the enthusiasm they showed 
throughout the evening. 
The event drew a good crowd that, based on their noise level, was thoroughly 
entertained.  Their noise was no doubt helped by legendary speedway announcer 
Bruce Flanders who was the announcer at San Bernardino during speedway's 
prior stint in the city, and although he hadn't announced a speedway race in 
four years, his skills had not diminished.  When he asked the crowd if they 
would like to see speedway become a regular event on Thursday nights they 
roared with approval.  
Venegas and Ermolenko kept a busy promotion schedule by visiting local 
motorcycle shops and contacting local media. Family, friends, and riders all 
helped the two aspiring promoters to get their project off the ground by 
volunteering help whenever or wherever necessary. California's other 
promoters helped as well by informing the crowd about the event and also 
allowing them personal air time to express their purposes behind the event. 
Brad Oxley competed in the event, Dave Joiner was the referee, and Mark 
Joiner gave his usual performance as the flagman.
The promoters were encouraged with the show overall, however their evening 
didn't go very well on the racetrack.  Ermolenko failed to transfer from 
either of his heats, and Venegas had to withdraw from the rest of the meeting 
after suffering an injury in a crash with Eddie Castro in his Handicap Semi.  
The crash will force him out of action in Northern California this weekend.   
 
With the future of Costa Mesa beyond 2000 in doubt, Southern California is 
desperate to establish another venue for the riders to compete on. Should 
Costa Mesa continue to operate in 2001, then Southern California riders will 
have multiple venues to compete on for the first time in several years.  
Operating as Inland Motorcycle Speedway, racing was held on Wednesday nights 
in San Bernardino from 1975 to 1987 on a track that was built on the parking 
lot behind the stock car stadium that this event was held in. The facility 
consistently hosted large crowds and was the site of the California State 
Championship from 1975 to 1987. The promotion moved out of the city to Glen 
Helen for the 1988 season but never captured the immense popularity that the 
original location had. The San Bernardino area should prove to be an 
excellent place to host weekly speedway events.

RESULTS
Second Division Consolation
234 - Frank Pecce           30
131 - David Lynch           30
198 - Mike Boyle            10
338 - Dave Delbridge        20
336 - Bill Green                10
197 - Greg Starcevic        20
175 - John Vandermeulen 20
147 - Winston Williams      10

Second Division Main
139 - Shaun Harmatiuk       20
103 - Brent Smith           10
321 - Billy Lyons           30
120 - Bill McCarley         30
182 - Rudy Laurer           20
200 - Gerry Duttweiler      30
177 - Mark Hitchcock        30
219 - John O'Neill          20

Dash for Cash Challenge Main Event
189 - Danny Perkins
122 - Mike Mattocks
223 - Mark Adams  (fell, remounted)
 47 - Johnny Walker

Handicap Main
 36n - Ian Ferris               20
 36 - Ryan Fisher           40
 63n - Bobby Hedden     50
 12 - Randy DiFrancesco 50
  4 - Josh Larsen           40
122 - Mike Mattocks     10
 14n - Billy Janniro            50  (fell)
  3 - Gary Hicks                50  (non-starter)
 43 - Charlie Venegas       50  (non-starter, replaced by Mattocks)

Scratch Consolation
Gary Hicks, Eddie Castro, Chris Manchester, and Randy DiFrancesco qualified 
but
the race was not contested.

Scratch Main
 14n - Billy Janniro
  4 - Josh Larsen
 36 - Ryan Fisher
 63n - Bobby Hedden

Ryan Evans
sideways31@aol.com
From: RS135423@exchange.Canada.NCR.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: WANTED!!!!
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 16:18:27 -0400

I am wondering if someone could help me obtain a couple of Coventry
programmes.

30/09/91 U-21 World Final and 25/08/87 World Team Cup.

I am willing to pay (within reason) your asking price.

Roger Stevens

roger.stevens@canada.ncr.com
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