Riverside Raceway Considers Move to Valencia

Negotiations between Newhall Land and Farming Co. and Riverside International Raceway officials may bring a combined oval-road track and drag strip to the Valencia area by the end of the year.

The now-defunct Indian Dunes off-road facility is one of two sites near Valencia that Riverside officials are considering leasing. Both sites are owned by Newhall Land and Farming.

“We’ve talked in generalities,” said Daniel Greenwood, president of Riverside International Raceway. “The negotiations have been very preliminary. By next week we’ll have a clearer idea as to whether it will go forward.”

Greenwood said that engineers have seen both sites and deemed them feasible for a racing facility. There are problems, however, with rising property values in the area and poor access roads.

“Property values are obviously an issue,” Greenwood said. “The roads are definitely a problem. But we think it can be compensated for.”

Robert Wilke, executive vice president of Newhall Land and Farming, confirmed the talks but declined to discuss details.

“ ‘Negotiations’ is too strong a word,” Wilke said. “Our main discussions have been with county people (about reopening the off-road track).”

The Los Angeles County sites are among several being considered by Riverside officials in the Southland, according to a spokesman. Three others are in Riverside County, and one is in San Bernardino County.

All-Star Prep Softball Game at CSUN

Top senior softball players from Los Angeles County will face each other in a Southern Section-City all-star softball game at 1 p.m. today at Cal State Northridge’s Lady Matador field.

The game, which is sponsored by Cal Athletic Ltd., a nonprofit softball organization, has been staged the past four years to promote girl’s softball.

“We want to do everything we can to add to the future of softball, and to help get it into the Olympics,” said Jonni Berkman, a member of CAL’s board of directors.

Chris Krohn, another board member, added: “The game also gives the girls more exposure to college recruiters.”

This year’s Southern Section representatives are: Samantha Ford, Laurie Fausett, Natalie Davidson and Yvette Baltazer from Hart High; Roxie Rafik and Jamie Berkman, Viewpoint; Michelle Gravatt and Kim Holder, Antelope Valley; Laura Detweiler, Thousand Oaks; Karen Westphal, Newbury Park; Cami Poque and April Russell, Crescenta Valley; Kathy Desautel, Alemany; Janine Cochran, Burbank, and Michelle Pappalardo from Burroughs.

The City lineup: Karen Walker and Teri Rupe, El Camino Real; Sue Vincent, Chatsworth; Stephanie Remington and Diane DeTomaso, Kennedy; Michelle Van Kirk and Kim Green, Cleveland; Michelle Borrego, Monroe; Diane Lopez and Katrina Garcia, Sylmar; Carol Hernandez and Rosi Castro, Bell; Lisa Bautista and Susan Miller, Banning, and Lisa Cantor from North Hollywood.

Information: (818) 341-7314 or (818) 843-2150 ext. 170.

Robinson Leads Going Into Mesa Marin

Jim Robinson of Reseda is the leader in the NASCAR Winston West point standings going into tonight’s Suncrest Motorhomes 200 at the half-mile Mesa Marin track in Bakersfield.

Going into last Sunday’s Budweiser 400 at Riverside International Raceway, Robinson was tied with Hershel McGriff of Bridal Veil, Ore. But McGriff had engine problems and was forced to drop out late in the race. Robinson finished 13th overall and second among Winston West drivers.

The top Winston West finisher was Glen Steurer of Simi Valley. Steurer finished 11th overall at Riverside and currently is third in Winston West standings. Steurer also will be competing for the $7,000 first-place check at Mesa Marin.

Las Vegas Night in Canoga Park

The Chatsworth Junior Baseball League is holding a “Las Vegas Night” at Carpenter’s Hall, 20124 Saticoy St. in Canoga Park, at 8 tonight to benefit the Chatsworth youth programs.

Information: (818) 993-4712.

Horse Show in Sylmar

The San Fernando Valley Horse Show will be held at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Stetson Ranch, near the corner of Foothill and Glenoaks boulevards in Sylmar.

There will be 32 categories of competition, determined by age and riding ability. At 8:30 a.m., youths aged 12 and under from 4-H Future Farmers of America and the Grange will participate in showmanship and horse handling, bareback, English and Western equitation and English and pleasure riding. Youths aged 13 and 14 will particpate after noon in similar events.

Information: (818) 368-6202.