Faria Reaching New Heights in British Speedway
As youngsters, Mike Faria and Steve Lucero spent weekends riding their motorcycles on trails in Northern California.
Lucero, who is seven years younger than Faria, remembers trying to keep up with his friend. He recalls spending an entire afternoon following Faria’s tire tracks.
Once when he was 14, Lucero spent a frustrating hour attempting to climb a steep hill because Faria issued an ultimatum: make the climb or walk home.
Most of all, Lucero remembers Faria always being the fastest and most polished rider in Richmond, Calif.
“Mike was always a racer,” Lucero said. “Nobody beat him. When he started racing speedway, he dominated Northern California for four years. When he got bored, he decided to move down here (to Southern California) to race and beat everybody.”
These days, Faria, 31, who will race in the Nissan American Final in Long Beach tonight, has taken his skills to an even higher plateau. In his first season at Belle Vue, England, he is succeeding against some of the world’s best riders in the British Speedway League.
Faria is averaging 8.16 points (out of a possible 12) in league matches and has a good chance of winning the rookie of the year award. He has stunned league followers by making a smooth transition to European racing.
Faria’s experience, home track, promoter and position on his team at Belle Vue have played integral parts in his success, according to those who know him.
“I’ve never seen anyone in the league start as quickly as Mike this season,” said Kelly Moran, who has raced in three world championships. “I can remember when Lance King started riding for Cradley in 1982 and he scored in double figures in his first two meetings.
“Lance had trouble reaching double figures the rest of the season. Mike is doing it every week.”
Moran said Faria is helped by the fact that he rides on one of the league’s smaller tracks, comparable to a track at Ventura where he had his most success after he left Northern California. He also is helped by the fact that he rides for Peter Collins, Moran says.
Collins won the world championship in 1976 and was a fixture at Belle Vue for 10 seasons. When the track was razed for a housing development last year, he was instrumental in getting a new site for racing at a local dog track.
Collins figured Faria would average about five points during his first season but was committed to smooth the transition to British life. Collins bought Faria a car and made him feel at home. But he never expected such a performance from his new rider.
“I predicted Mike would be a nine-point rider and told my promoter to sign him last year,” said Sam Ermolenko, who has finished third in the world championship in two of the past three years.
“Look at the Americans who generally sign to ride in the league. They’re usually young guys who are still learning. Mike is a veteran, and I expected him to ride well.
“My promoter kicks himself every time he sees Mike race. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was in the world championship this year.”
Faria will take his first step toward that goal at 8 tonight with the Nissan American Final scheduled in Long Beach Veterans Stadium. A field of 20 riders will compete for five qualifying positions in the Overseas Final in Coventry, England, July 10.
The World Final is scheduled for Sept. 3 in Vojens, Denmark. Bruce Penhall was the last American to win a world championship, gaining back-to-back titles in 1981-82 before retiring.
“If Mike gets past the first qualifying round, he’ll be in the world championship,” Lucero said. “The first round is the toughest qualifier.”
Each rider will compete in four scratch heats against four other competitors tonight. A rider will earn four points for a win, three points for a second-place finish, two points for third and one for fourth.
Faria finished in a five-way tie for third place last year but earned a spot in the Overseas Final by finishing second in a runoff. He struggled in the overseas race, and teammate Rob Pfetzing thinks that has prompted Faria’s new-found success.
“Mike was never known as a gater (good starter), but he’s getting 10 times better than he ever did at home,” Pfetzing said. “I thought he would struggle like most of the boys who first go over there, but 12 years of racing experience has made the difference.
“The track at Belle Vue is like an old Ventura to him. It’s the second smallest track in the league and fits his style perfectly.”
Whereas most marvel at Faria’s fast start, Lance King thinks Faria may have difficulty once he becomes a heat leader on his team next month.
“Mike is a reserve rider at Belle Vue, which means he goes against reserve riders in two of his four races each night,” King said. “That’s an automatic six points. After this month, he won’t be a reserve and he’ll be up against the big boys. Then, let’s see how he does.”
Speedway Notes
Sam Ermolenko recorded the fastest lap time in Wednesday’s practice session. Ermolenko was timed in 17.40 on the quarter-mile track. . . . Kelly Moran plans to be married in November and spend his honeymoon in South Africa. . . . Bruce Penhall, retired two-time world champion, rode in Erik Gundersen’s testimonial Wednesday celebrating 10 seasons at Cradley Heath. . . . Lance King, on the format for the American Final: “It’s a farce. We’re the only country in the world that allows another country (Canada) to compete with our boys.” King on defending world champion Hans Nielsen of Denmark: “He’s 75% better than anyone else in the world. He’ll win the world championship again with no problem.” . . . Rob Pfetzing plans to remain in Southern California after tonight’s race and is scheduled to ride at the Orange County Fairgrounds next week. . . . Tickets, priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children, will go on sale at the stadium at 2 p.m.