Golden Gate Motor Speedway
Solano County Fairgrounds
Vallejo, California

California Speedway
August 2, 2008 - Golden Gate Motor Speedway
By Gary Roberts

On August 2 Golden Gate Speedway hosted it's second event. The weather was pleasant, initially hot sunshine, then a cool breeze. The track held together much better than the previous week, everyone had a good time. This has all the makings of a very successful venture, because its situated close to the heavily populated San Francisco Bay area.

Much the same as the previous week, the racing was really very good. The riders all liked the shape of the track, an almost round oval, meaning that speed could be maintained through the corners.

Bob Hicks won the main event. A good gate gave him a clear lead but Ben Essary and Kenny Ingalls fought for second place. Tommy Hedden who chose to use a 22 inch tire tried an outside line, which this time did not pay off. He sure showered the crowd with dirt though. Bob Hicks used to dominate Cal Expo. He is such a great rider, what a shame he doesn't race at Auburn.

The handicap main was won by Kell Kerrigan, followed by Bryce Starks. JT Mabry did well to work up to third place.

Despite a consistent track surface the second division main was plagued with riders falling and getting back up and re-joining the race, which made it hard to follow. Eventual winner was Mike Browne, followed by Brian Leventon and Jeff Irwin.

Scratch Main Event
1. Bob Hicks; 2. Ben Essary; 3. Kenny Ingalls; 4. Tommy Hedden.

Scratch Consolation Event
1. Bryce Starks; 2. Shawn Eldridge; 3. Devin Defreece; 4. Bryce Starks.

Handicap Main Event
1. Kell Kerrigan; 2. Bryce Stark; 3. Bryce Stark; 4. JJ Martynse; 5. Steve Lewotsky.

Handicap Consolation Event
1. Ben Essary; 2. Kenny Ingalls; 3. Tommy Hedden; 4. Danny Turner; 5. Shawn Eldridge.

Division 2 Main Event
1. Mike Browne; 2. Brian Leventon; 3. Jeff Irwin; 4. Ed Martinez; 5. Shane Loessberg.

Division 2 Consolation Event
1. Richard Fehrman; 2. Les Veale.

Division 3 Main Event
1. Doug Geist; 2. Chris Wilkes; 3. Kjell Lovlien; 4. Greg Lovlien; 5. Michelle Fehrman.

Division 3 Consolation Event
1. Tori Hubbert; 2. Gary Hubbert; 3. John Randolph.

Youth Main event
1. Tyler Warren; 2. Thomas Reich; 3. Kendra Warren; 4. Gage Geist; 5. Desi Fehrman.

This was an extremely successful Speedway event, especially considering it was only the second week. The track is a nice shape, broad corners to maintain speed, with a good consistent surface. It was an unquestionable success, but it could have been a lot better. The one thing that was missing was riders. Charlie Venegas has clearly invested a lot of time, money and effort in getting this show to the standard it is. This week Charlie got Red Line Oil to give every rider a hat and T-shirt. As if that wasn't enough, he fed them with hot dogs before the races. Charlie is going overboard in doing all that needs doing to create a second Northern California Speedway track. Isn't this what we have all wanted for the last decade?

The Northern California Speedway riders need to all get together and support Charlie to make this track a success. Its got a lot going for it:
- Everyone who has ridden there agrees that it's a great racetrack.
- Its less than an hour from Sacramento.
- It pays a full AMA purse in prize money.
- This week every rider got at least 2 rides, some got as many as 6.
- The breeze comes in from the Bay and cools the place down (bring your sweater).
- Great growth potential to re-establish the sport in the Bay area.
- A second night of racing every week will make you a better rider.
- It brought Bob Hicks out of the woodwork to win the main event.

So what about it? How about signing up for Vallejo next week. You are not just doing it for your own enjoyment, you are making a statement in resurrecting this sport in the Bay area. I challenge every Northern California rider to participate.

More than that. Costa Mesa is closed down next weekend. How about the guys from down south coming up and riding at Auburn Friday night and Vallejo Saturday. Let's help Charlie get this show on the road.