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Perris RacewayPerris, CaliforniaNICK VARNER CUP MAX RUML SCORES EMOTIONAL VICTORY AT THE NICK VARNER CUP Max Ruml has won many major titles in American Speedway but his long overdue win at Perris on August 15th to take the Nick Varner Cup was one of the most meaningful. Ruml adapted well to the situations at hand, both blistering the heatwave of just over 100 degrees at start time and green light starts from an unfortunate starting gate mechanical issue. The Division One program had thirteen entries who each raced three programmed heats. The highest eight in points went to Semi Finals. It was 2019 Nick Varner Cup winner Gino Manzares who led the way as the only rider on a perfect score after the three rounds heats. Ruml was one behind on 8, with Luke Becker and Aaron Fox each on seven. 2021 Team USA Under 21 contenders Blake Borello and Sebastian Palmese each had a win on the way to the semifinals, whilst Michael Wells, in his first race in 12 months, scored an impressive 5. Semi Final One saw Manzares keep his perfect streak going, but it was rising star Blake Borello who caught the eye, out trapping two time US National Champ Aaron Fox and keeping the resultant challenge throughout from Fox at bay. Semi Final Two was a three rider affair, Austin Novratil not making the two minute call. Ruml got the start but Becker performed one of his trademark outside moves around turns three and four to get his second win of the night. Manzares picked gate 1 for the Main with Becker taking gate 4. It was Ruml out of gate 2 however who dropped the clutch to perfection when the green light came on. After an initial challenge from Manzares, Ruml pulled away comfortably for the win. Becker had a sluggish start off of the outside and made no impression on the top two, coming home third with Borello fourth. Division Two had nine entries, with two heats each qualifying the riders for an A or B Main. Mark Fillebrown won both of his heats whilst the Todd brothers, Rees and Rheten took one win each. Rookie Greg Moore won the B Main. It looked like a Todd 5-1 in the A Main, Rheten leading Rees but Rees slid off on turn three of the last lap, promoting Fillebrown to second. The older Todd brother quickly remounted and still came home third. Division Three saw a clean sweep for NorCal’s Jason Lundberg. Wilbur Hancock in the 250 Junior class duly obliged with such a maximum in his four rides. Levi Leutz took two 150 Mini Speedway heats with Jose Navarette taking the other. However, it was Nick Hohlbein who repeated with a second Main Event win in as many Perris Races. Max Anderson won Division Two. Ace Donavon made a clean sweep of the Pee Wee Class whilst Hudson Hollis was the winning Mini Bike. The Sidecars had 6 entries. Joe Jones was reunited with former passenger Tom Summers to win two heats and the Main event. Dillon Osborne and Jamie Marito took the others. The Nick Varner Cup is annually held at Perris to memorialize the former Junior Speedway star who passed away aged 11 in 2011 after a Moto X racing crash. Varner was part of the rising pack of future stars that were created through the former Speedway Academy that developed the likes of the Ruml brothers, Broc Nicol, Luke Becker and others. Varner was destined for the very top of American Speedway before tragedy struck. Many of his peers run his racing number 333 on their bikes or covers. Perris has a 5 week summer break before it’s next event on September 19th with a monthly schedule that goes all the way through the end of the year. Perris is the only active venue in Southern California during the Covid 19 pandemic. Results: Division 1 Points: Gino Manzares 9, Max Ruml 8, Luke Becker 7, Aaron Fox 7, Blake Borello 6, Austin Novratil 5, Sebastian Palmese 5, Michael Wells 5, Sara Cords 2, Eddie Castro 2, Rees Todd 2, Rheten Todd 1, Mike Miller 0, Gregory Moore (res) 0. Semi Final 1: 1-Gino Manzares, 2-Blake Borello, 3-Aaron Fox, 4-Michael Wells. Semi Final 2: 1-Luke Becker, 2-Max Ruml, 3-Sebastian Palmese, 4-Austin Novratil (DNS) Final: 1-Max Ruml, 2-Gino Manzares, 3-Luke Becker, 4-Blake Borello. Division 2 Main: 1-Rheten Todd, 2-Mark Fillebrown, 3-Rees Todd (fell, remounted), 4-Rudy Laurer, 5-Hayley Perrault. Division 2 Consolation: 1-Gregory Moore, 2-Tyler Moszer, 3-Ron Davis, 4-Rohn Zellner (DNS) Division 3 Main: 1-Jason Lundberg, 2-Tom Settlemire, 3-Dennis Osmer, 4-Tom Bryant. 250 Junior Main: 1-Wilbur Hancock, 2-Andrew Russell, 3-Catherine Moore, 4-Justin Almon (DNS) 150 Mini Division 1: 1-Nick Hohlbein, 2-Levi Leutz, 3-Max Anderson, 4-Jose Navarrete (DNF) 150 Mini Division 2: 1-Max Anderson, 2-Hudson Hollis, 3-Ace Donovan, 4-Ryder Schultz (DNS) Pee Wee Main: 2-Ace Donovan, 2-Matthew Hodge, 3-Ryder Manzares Mini Bike Main: 2-Hudson Hollis, 3-Neil Facchini, 3-Ace Donovan Sidecar Main: 1-Joe Jones / Tom Summers, 2-Dillon Osborne / Jamie Morito, 3-Bryan Motis / Josh Flammia, 4-Kevin Kale / Tracey Gallagher. Nick Varner Cup Winners
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