2004 North America Speedway History
Northern California

2004 Southern California - 2004 AMA Reports

How to pass the time, during the off-season

What to do during the other 6 months of the year is always a problem. When you live in a rural community, like me, it doesn't get any easier. So a couple of weeks ago, I found myself back in the old habit of wandering into one of the local bars, to pass the time, till the next Speedway event. Someone said there was a live blues group playing, which is unusual in itself, in a town of only 1000 people. I thought it was probably worth staying for a pint and see what they were like.

"Hey, Gary" woke me up. I turned on and found it coming from a face that I kind of recognized, but I had not seen in a couple of years. Adding to the difficulty in recognition, he was not wearing his Speedway leathers. Johnny O'Connell was a regular division 2 rider at Auburn and Cal Expo. Johnny went on to explain that it was his band, Johnny O' and the Blue F.O.s, who were going to play.
I decided to stay. They were good, they were really good.

This coming Saturday, Oct. 9th 2004 they will be playing at the Onyx Club, Main Street, Roseville starting 9:30 p.m.

If you have the same problem as me, waiting till May 05 opening night, come along and support Johnny O' in his new career!

No Bull, a new book about Billy Hamill.

Brian Burford, who wrote the book about the Moran Brothers has now released a book about Billy Hamill, entitled " No Bull".  It was launched at the Cardiff GP and is selling well.

Billy Hamill will bring with him a limited supply, when he makes his appearance at the first round of the AMA National Championship at Auburn on August 6.  The book can be purchased from Billy after the meeting. 

The book is a hardback and retails at £19.99. Alternatively, people who cant wait till then can purchase it via www.speedwaypages.co.uk by credit card and it will be sent over.

April 8, 2004 Subject: Sideways on Saturday Nights
Diaz Motorsports and Three Trees Racing are proud to announce for 2004:

AMA sanctioned speedway racing in Chowchilla California on the following dates:

May 29 - Opening Night
June 5, 19, 26
July 10, 17, 24, 31

Pit Gates open at 5:00
Practice 5:30-6:30
Pits closed at 6:45
Racing starts at 7:30

General Admission $10
Kids $5
Free Parking
We will have food, refreshments and beer for sale.

Open practice is planned for Sunday May 23.  All riders MUST sign up in advance or pay extra $5 fee to be added to the program on the night of the races.  Please sign up.  Having to pay money out to print programs in advance so spectators can follow along are of no use if there are to many additions and changes.  If the spectators can not follow the program they may lose interest and may not return.  NO SPECTATORS mean no races it is that simple.  Cash purses rely on sponsors and sponsors expect fans.  With 5 tracks now running with AMA sanction riders will have more opportunity to qualify for AMA National Championships.

Want to race in the AMA National?  Race at AMA tracks.  It is the only way to get in.  With three AMA tracks in California their is no reason why we should not have the fastest riders in the country at the nationals.  Both Winchester and Chowchilla have schedules that allow Costa Mesariders the opportunity to race at AMA tracks on a regular basis and still run Costa Mesa.  I believe there are only two conflicting dates with Costa mesa and those are freestyle Motocross nights.  If we want to see these new tracks back for next season they will need your support.  If you want to see more tracks opening next year support the new tracks and show those thinking about opening new tracks that the riders and fans will come if you build it.  I would like to wish all speedway riders the best in the upcoming season were ever they may choose to race.  I can be reached for sign up or for more information at (916) 771-4629

Robert Mellor
Racer / Promoter / Fan

March 18, 2004

Ladies and Gentlemen:
Fast Friday's sign up day will be Sunday April 4.
Please be there at 12:00 midday to sign up for the 2004 season.
Please address any questions to Dave Joiner at (530) 878 7223.
Let's hope that the 2004 season will be even better than 2003.

Gary Roberts - groberts@iee.org

March 2004

Northern California star Bryan Yarrow has signed with the Coventry Bees!  Here is a link to Coventry

Feb 2004

Dick Vargas opens new Jawa dealership in Northern California!

Dick Vargas, formerly of Affordable RV, has opened a new Jawa dealership, R&R Sales.  He is located at 849 Nevada Street in Auburn, just across highway 49 from Bast Welding.  He will have new and used Speedway motorcycles, parts and fuel, as well as a range clothing, leathers, etc.  Dick can also be reached by e-mail at rvargas29@msn.com
or phone at (916) 204 5776.

Feb 2004

Northern California star Eric Carrillo has signed for the Wolverhampton Wolves!  Here is a link to Wolverhampton

Chowchilla

There have been some changes made at the track in Chowchilla.
Practice now stars at 3:00 and racing starts at 4:30.
Please contact Robert Mellor (916) 771-4629 for speedway information and sign up.

There is a new track being built at Chowchilla for racing during the Summer 2004. Same size track but not covered. We will also have more control over the dirt as it will not be used as a horse arena as the covered facility is during the summer months.

The plan is to be running on Sundays starting in May. This is another great opportunity for speedway racing and is a good half way point for Southern California and Northern California riders to compete against each other as well as introduce the sport to people not yet familiar with speedway.

I have received nothing but positive feedback from all in attendance. I believe we may even get a couple of talented flat track racers to join the fun.  Many have expressed interest and I know of one very impressive rider that is planned to be making his speedway debut this weekend at Chowchilla.

For those of you who can not bring themselves to share a track with flat trackers I am planning a speedway only meet at Chowchilla to be run shortly before the spring classic at Costa Mesa. This of course is dependent on interest from the riders.

I would like to see all the Southern California riders come up and match up against the North. Not just 8 from each. Purse will be dependent on number of riders but I don't see an AMA minimum to be a problem. If there are any riders that are interested in this please contact me as soon as possible. I believe the North will have a big advantage as only 2 adult riders from the South have ventured up to try their luck at what has proven to be a very tricky track for some. Smooth fast straights and sharp corners make for very exciting racing and close competition.

See ya at the races.

Robert Mellor

Chowchilla Results and other information

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