Brea’s McConnell Wins Five Races, Championship

Shawn McConnell of Brea won five races, including the main event, to take the speedway motorcycle Fair Derby championship Friday in front of 6,810 spectators at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

McConnell won his three heat races, then one semifinal and the final. He finished with 21 points.

Bart Bast of San Bernardino was second with 18 points, Alan Christian (15 points) of Murrieta Hot Springs was third and Phil Collins (14 points) of Newport Beach was fourth.

McConnell took the lead at the start of the final and was a wire-to-wire winner. Bast was second, Collins third and Christian fourth.

Bobby Schwartz of Costa Mesa, who has won 8 of 14 main events this season at Costa Mesa, is in England getting ready for the overseas final Sunday.

Steve Lucero of Riverside won the consolation main event, Gary Hicks of Glen Avon was second, Dubb Ferrell of Whittier was third and Tuff McBride of Riverside was fourth.