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Perris RacewayPerris, CaliforniaNew Years Classic NICOL AT THE DOUBLE AT PERRIS 2021 OPENER Broc Nicol got his 2021 off to a flying start with victory in the New Year’s Classic at Perris Raceway on 9th January. The podium actually belonged to Wolverhampton Speedway with all of the riders (Luke Becker second and Chris Kerr third) being current or former riders of the famous British team. Nicol also beat Becker to become the new holder of the ‘Red White and Blue Helmet’ match race trophy. Perris has been the only California track able to run as scheduled in Covid times and the venue defied the elements in another way during Saturday’s event. A car accident in town cut the electrical supply to around 500 homes, plunging them into darkness and taking out the main supply to the track after just three races. Due to the floodlights being powered by internal generators, the event was able to continue with flag stats before the main power returned just over an hour later. Nicol and Becker led the scorers in the 16 rider field after the three rounds of heats, both on a 9 point maximum. Russell Green qualified on 8 with three incredible runs from the back, including his second ride where he passed all opponents after restarting from the 20 yard penalty line. Former Belle Vue and Long Eaton rider Charlie Venegas, in his first Perris outing since the 2012 Team USA World Cup fund raiser, led a group of riders on 6 points into the semifinals, each getting a win, second and third in heats. Venegas’s round 3 heat win ended with a sensational inside pass on fellow veteran Eddie Castro, the pass eliminating Castro who ended on four. The other riders on 6 were Under 21 Team USA Speedway of Nations contenders Blake Borello and Sebastian Palmese. Aaron Fox was the final semi qualifier with 5. Becker led home fellow Northern Californian rider Kerr to win semi one with Venegas (third) and Borello (4th) eliminated. Semi 2 saw a sensational start for Palmese and slow start for Nicol. While Nicol quickly worked himself into second (with Fox and Green battling hard with him), Palmese was clearly ahead out front. Nicol fought back but Palmese rode with sublime confidence and refused to give up his spot for a superb win. Nicol from the outside got the best start in the Main with Becker lifting a little at the start. Becker charged by Kerr to get second place with Palmese also moving up to third. Nicol held a big enough lead throughout to not be majorly troubled. Palmese had bike issues on the second lap which allowed the impressive Kerr, in his first race in almost 12 months, to grab third. After the intermission and before the semi finals Nicol and Becker returned for the best of 3 two lap match race challenge for the Red White and Blue Helmet, the title vacated by the absent Max Ruml. Becker won round 1 from gate 1, whilst Nicol returned the favor in heat 2 to force a sudden death run off. Nicol, this time from gate 4, launched a superb start to take victory and become the new holder of the helmet. With the next helmet race due March 13th, Nicol too may be forced to vacate should he be in Europe at that time in preparation for the 2021 season. Becker, as runner up to Nicol in the final, is currently the #1 challenger in what could be a mouthwatering rematch. As per usual there were a multitude of other Divisions on the program. Rheten Todd won both of his heats and the Main Event in Division 2. Mike Miller (2) and Mark Fillebrown were the other heat winners. Division 3 had handicapped heats with David Newsham and flat track convert Royal Adderson taking the wins, Newsham came back to win the all scratch final. In the 150 Mini Junior division Jose Navarette and Levi Leutz won heats from the 30 yard handicap. Leutz, sporting his new #226, took the Main. Leutz and other 150cc Juniors also featured in Handicapped races with the only 250cc Junior to sign up, Owen Williams. Williams won the first race with Leutz taking the last two. The five riders who are backed by Team SoS, a track sponsor, contested a special “Last Man Out Challenge,” a series of one lap races with last place being eliminated. After three rounds Kyle Cunningham took the final victory after a breathtaking side by side race with Michael Wells. Ryder Manzares won both Pee Wee Heats but the Main had a hugely popular first time winner in Karl Hancock, the 7 year old son of four time World Champion Greg Hancock. Robert & Laurie Curry were Sidecar winners, taking a heat and the Main. The other heat was won by Ace Kale and Thomas Yergler. The Main event was held in tribute to Dave Galvin and Allen Fife, both huge contributors to American Speedway whom had each sadly passed in recent weeks. Nicol gave his winning trophy to Fife’s son Kevin, who serves as Clerk of the Course. It has been a busy start to 2021 for American Speedway with a practice day at a brand new track at Kern County Raceway in Bakersfield getting rave reviews the previous week. Racing is due to commence there within the next two months. The Perris promotion are also promoting at the new venue which is a part of modern motorsports complex that includes a half mile NASCAR track along with a 1/3 mile clay sprint car track and now a banked 1/7 mile speedway oval. Perris meantime returns on February 6th with the 4th staging of the AMA National Pairs Championship. Nicol and Becker are defending champions. Results Division 1 Semi 1: Luke Becker, Chris Kerr, Charlie Venegas, Blake Borello Main Event Red White and Blue Helmet Match Race Challenge Team SoS Last Man Out Challenge Division 2 Main Event Division 2 Consi Division 3 Main 150 Mini Main 250 Vs 150 Exhibition Sidecar Main Event Pee Wee Main
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