By: Ryan Evans
Former National Champion Mike Faria won his second consecutive Scratch Main in front of a large crowd at Costa Mesa Saturday night.
Faria started on the pole and that would prove advantageous with the blue groove on the track. Faria was the first rider to turn one and some incidental contact among the other competitors left Faria with a sizable lead on the first lap. Scott Brant emerged from the pack second and tried to make an impression on Faria's lead. The 46 year old was not going to be caught and he cruised to the victory. Brant finished second, Gary Hicks was third, Dukie Ermolenko was fourth, and Bobby Schwartz finished fifth.
The Handicap Main required three attempts to complete the eight laps. Shaun Harmatiuk was lined up on the 20 yard line and led the pack into turn one after a start that seemed to catch several riders napping. Randy DiFrancesco fell in turn two, but the race continued. On the fourth lap the red light came on without a visible reason. Evidently, the green staging light had not come on prior to the tapes going up, which explains the strange start, and it couldn't get communicated to the referee before several laps had been completed. Since the malfunction impacted the start of the race, the referee ruled that it would be a complete restart and all eight laps would have to be completed.
The restart didn't get past turn one as Shawn McConnell went down entering turn one leaving Brant nowhere to go and he tumbled over the highside and landed awkwardly. Brant was down for a couple minutes, but was able to get up and participate in the restart.
The third attempt found Harmatiuk in the lead again and fighting off every attempt that DiFrancesco could muster. Harmatiuk stood his ground until the end of lap seven when he drifted wide exiting turn four. He managed to recover and hold the lead entering turn one the final time but his momentum carried him past the groove and DiFrancesco nudged him as he went by on the inside. This forced Harmatiuk to slide off and DiFrancesco to straighten up and lose several spots. Andy Northrup had the lead fall into his lap and he led the final lap for the victory. McConnell finished second, Brant was third, DiFrancesco finished fourth, and Castro was fifth. Harmatiuk was obviously disappointed after leading 12 of the 13 laps that were run and only a DG sample as a reward.
In the Support Main, Gerry Duttweiler and Rick Valdez jumped in front of their competitors and battled into turn one. Duttweiler exited turn two on the inside line and found enough traction to get into the lead. Valdez stalked Duttweiler throughout the race, but couldn't find an opening. Duttweiler, probably the tallest speedway rider in Southern California, held off Valdez for the victory. Dave Delbridge was third, Robert Fiesler finished fourth, and Chris Metoyer was fifth.
Keith Mullally took the early lead in the Support B Main Event. Mullally, who is a police officer, held the lead for three laps, but Phil Harmatiuk was challenging when they took the white flag. Mullally left some room on the inside and Harmatiuk made him pay as he shot underneath for the lead. Harmatiuk held on for the victory while Mullally had to settle for second. Mike Boyle finished third, DeWayne Stark was fourth, Sam Stavros finished fifth, and Fred Schmitthammer was credited with sixth.
The world famous oval hosted a large crowd for the second straight meeting as the Freestyle Jumpers made their second appearance of the season. Next week is the Jack Milne Cup and Vintage Cycle Show. The Jack Milne Cup honors the 1937 World Speedway Champion who was also an integral part of the beginning of Costa Mesa and its subsequent success. He was a fixture at the track until he passed away several years ago. Scott Brant is the defending Jack Milne Cup champion.
RESULTS Support B Main Event 100 - Phil Harmatiuk 20 185 - Keith Mullally 10 198 - Mike Boyle 20 244 - DeWayne Stark 10 339 - Sam Stavros 20 223 - Fred Schmitthammer 20 (penalty line) Support Consolation (restarted) 165 - Randy Kreps 180 - Malcolm Roe 117 - Billy Braden (penalty line, retired) 102 - Jim Lavender (fell) Support Consolation (restarted) 164 - Rusty Hall 125 - Mike Lupo 389 - Nate Perkins 118 - Scott Tidwell (penalty line, fell) Support Last Chance 106 - Robert Fiesler 182 - Rudy Laurer 178 - Eloy Medellin 114 - Paul Hitchcock Support Main Event 200 - Gerry Duttweiler 293 - Rick Valdez 338 - Dave Delbridge 106 - Robert Fiesler 148 - Chris Metoyer Handicap Main Event (restarted twice) 166 - Andy Northrup 30 6 - Shawn McConnell 40 10 - Scott Brant 40 12 - Randy DiFrancesco 30 14 - Eddie Castro 40 9 - Mike Faria 50 11 - Bobby Schwartz 40 139 - Shaun Harmatiuk 20 (fell) Last Chance 11 - Bobby Schwartz 6 - Shawn McConnell 14 - Eddie Castro 24 - Bobby Krips Scratch Main Event 9 - Mike Faria 10 - Scott Brant 3 - Gary Hicks 15 - Dukie Ermolenko 11 - Bobby Schwartz
