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Perris RacewayPerris, CaliforniaCOVID Classic LUKE BECKER WINS THE COVID CLASSIC IN PERRIS THRILLER! Perris Raceway, 27th June 2020. Team USA and Wolverhampton Wolves rising star Luke Becker came back home to the track where he learned his craft to win the much anticipated Covid Classic. The event was the first American Speedway race in 119 days (which was the previous Perris race) and it was held without fans in attendance in compliance with local authority health recommendations. A large rider turnout and an at home pay per view TV audience, along with loyal sponsor backing made the event a success despite the huge logistical barriers presented. The 51 race program was divided into two segments. The first had all of the heats for the non-Division 1 classes, and after a full track blade and prep halfway through, the Division 1 program ran from 715pm with Main events for all other disciplines between the rounds. Twelve riders partook in Division 1, each having three heat races with the lowest four scorers eliminated ahead of sudden death semi-finals. After a first bend tumble in his opening race, Max Ruml led the points after conclusion of the heat races with 8 out of 9, tied with Broc Nicol but getting the head to head tie breaker after defeating Nicol and Becker in a blockbuster Heat 8. Gino Manzares was tied with Becker on 7 but with one less win, was the fourth qualifier. Austin Novratil rallied from a second round engine failure while leading to land 5th, winning the 5 point tie breaker over Sebastian Palmese and Eddie Castro, who also qualified. Blake Borello got the final spot in, scoring a second round win in a tough heat draw, that win edging him into the semi-finals over the once more fast and impressive female rookie Sara Cords. Semi Final one was an intense affair, Ruml coming out on top over Manzares with Novratil, once again displaying his all action style, closely in third but unfortunately eliminated. Semi 2 saw Nicol get the start but Becker was initially in last place. Having got by Palmese, Becker went down in a turn 2 incident with Castro, the referee ordering a full restart with neither rider deemed at fault in what would have been a very split call. Nicol once more inflicted defeat on his UK team mate in the rerun and it was both Wolves who made it into the final. The Main Event was just the tonic American Speedway needed after the enforced lay off that has affected all five major promotions. Nicol made a lightening trap while Ruml and Manzares battled for second. Becker, last out of the start once more from gate 4, made an impressive outside run to pick off Ruml and Manzares by the end of lap one. Becker, with the rub of the green in his favor, kept on his fast outside line to get alongside Nicol at the end of lap two and taking the lead going into turn one of lap three. Becker then eased ahead for the win with Nicol second and Ruml third. The supporting cast of Divisions conjured up a treat of racing. Division Two had a massive 15 entries, each rider getting two heats before going into the Main or a Consolation race. The six heats produced three unbeaten riders all out of Northern California; soon to be Division One rider Derek Denzin, fast rising rookie Rees Todd and the sensational Kyle Cunningham, on his first 500cc adult ride. In an eagerly anticipated final, it was Cunningham who came out on top, ahead of Todd and Denzin. Aidan McNutt and Rheten Todd won the Consolation races. The Todd brothers also doubled up in their usual third division but it was quite clear by their dominance and speed that winter practice had paid off and this would be their Division Three swan song. After both winning two heats, it was Rheten Todd who took the Main. Division Three legend Steve Brown won the Consolation. Joe Jones and Josh Flammia won all four Sidecar races. Joe's son Hudson won all three Pee Wee races. Double National Champion Levi Leutz overcome a 30 yard handicap to take a clean sweep in the 150 Mini Class. Justin Almon won the 250cc Junior Class over debutant Owen Williams, after they split the heats. Bob Tocco won both 150cc and 125c Mini Bike Classes. Richard Pollack won the Open Flat Track Class with Paul Hartman winning the hugely popular Hooligan Division. The next Perris event is scheduled for Saturday July 18th. It will feature a similar program except that the Division One class will be a British League style team race. Results: Covid Classic 06/27/2020 Perris Speedway Heats: Semifinals: Final: Division Two Main Event Division Two Consolation Division Two Consolation Division Three Main Division Three Consolation Sidecar Main 250 Junior Main 150 Mini Main Pee Wee Main
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