Five Top U.S. Speedway Riders Will Stay Home This Season

Some of the country’s best speedway motorcycle riders, including World Final runner-up Lance King, have decided to remain home this season and will help open the 17th season of weekly racing tonight at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

The top riders annually migrate to the British Speedway League, but the instability of the British pound coupled with the closing of eight British tracks have altered the plans of King, Robert Pfetzing, Steve Lucero, Sam Ermolenko and Buddy Robinson.

While British tracks are closing, two--South Bay Stadium’s quarter-mile oval and Carlsbad Raceway--will open this season in the Southland. Local riders will have five tracks to compete on weekly. Three Northern California tracks--Baylands, Auburn and Napa--will also operate weekly shows. The United States will also host the World Team Cup on Aug. 10 at Long Beach Veterans Stadium.

Following tonight’s opener, racing will continue at Ventura on April 2, San Bernardino’s Inland Motorcycle Speedway on April 3, Carlsbad on April 14 and South Bay Stadium on April 18, with the season-ending U.S. Championship on Oct. 12 at the Fairgrounds.

King has been one of the top five riders in the British Speedway League for the past three seasons at Cradley Heath. He joined the team as an 18 year old and culminated a brilliant season last year by tying Hans Nielsen for second in the World Final behind Erik Gunderson.

King figured to cash in on a lucrative contract with Cradley after finishing in the top three in the Overseas Final, the InterContinental Final and the World Final, but instead he decided to remain at home.

“My promoter made a ridiculous offer, so I bought two new bikes, shipped them home and plan on staying here for the season,” King said during the Spring Classic. “The British pound isn’t worth much these days, and I think it’s more profitable for me to stay home.”

King plans to follow the lead of two-time defending U.S. champion Kelly Moran, who competed locally last season but raced in the qualifying rounds for the World Final where he finished fourth.

“Kelly showed you can stay at home and still compete with the best riders in the world,” King said. “I can make more money riding here.”

Four local and three Northern California tracks paid a total of $453,162 in purse money last year, according to figures compiled by San Bernardino track publicist Kay Rutherford. Track promoters guaranteed a purse of $1,260 plus $250 for a riders’ point fund versus 30% of the gate for each race. The base purse will increase by $500 this season.

Mike Faria has won the riders’ point fund the past three years, earning $2,969 in 1982, $2,314 in 1983 and $3,157 last season. The 1984 point fund paid about $15,700 to first and second-division riders last year. The fund will increase with two more tracks operating this season.

Costa Mesa promoter Harry Oxley estimated the winner of tonight’s scratch main event will earn about $1,500. The season opener is traditionally a big payday at Costa Mesa. In contrast, Oxley said Bobby Schwartz earns about 30 pounds per point in the British Speeway League or about $450 for scoring a maximum in a league match.

Only four American riders--Schwartz, Shawn Moran, Rick Miller and John Cook--plan to ride in the British Speedway League.

“Not only has the value of the pound scared off a lot of riders, but the British Speedway League is down to 10 teams from 18 two years ago, so there aren’t as many spots for foreign riders,” Oxley said.

Oxley is also anticipating a big season. He has acquired 5,000 bleachers that were part of the Olympic swimming venue at USC and installed them on the west side of the 190-yard oval.

Speedway Notes

J.C. Agajanian’s youngest son, Chris, supervised the construction of South Bay Stadium, adjacent to Ascot Park. Former world champion Bruce Penhall called the track “the fastest in the United States” after a recent test run. Racing will be conducted on Thursday nights at the new facility and Sundays at Carlsbad. . . . Mike Faria won the 1985 Spring Classic series with 353 points, followed by Brad Oxley and Bobby Schwartz (295), Sam Ermolenko (256) and surprising Tim McCasland (237). . . . Oxley estimated that 80 new riders will be competing this season.