Area Roundup : Ermolenko Will Race Tonight at Fairgrounds

Speedway motorcyclist Sam Ermolenko of Cypress, who last Saturday qualified for his fourth consecutive appearance in the world championships, heads the field of riders competing in the first round of the Nissan Grand Prix Series tonight at 8 at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

Ermolenko was among the 11 riders who advanced from the InterContinental Final last Saturday in Vetlanda, Sweden. He became the first American to qualify for four consecutive World Final races.

Ermolenko rides for Wolverhampton in the British Speedway League but is on a 10-day leave to ride in Southern California. Ermolenko won the scratch main event at Costa Mesa in the third week of the season.

Bobby Schwartz of Costa Mesa continues to dominate local racing, although he finished third in the scratch main event last week. He has won five of six main events at San Bernardino Ascot and Costa Mesa over the past two weeks.

The Nissan Grand Prix Series will include all handicap and scratch races for the next three weeks at Costa Mesa.

Mike Faria, now riding for Belle Vue in the British Speedway League, will return to Costa Mesa on Aug. 19 for two weeks of racing.

Cathy Rigby, a former Olympic gymnast, and Dr. Alan Beyer, a specialist in sports medicine, will speak at 10 a.m. Saturday at the College Hospital of Costa Mesa. The talk will focus on training, motivation and sports injuries.

For more information, call 646-1320.

The Saddleback Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual fund-raising dinner Aug. 18 at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge at 6 p.m. Tickets for the western-style barbecue and auction are $45 per adult and $20 for children.

For more information, call 474-7004 (days) or 971-5916 (evenings).

Around the Area

Santa Ana High School is taking applications for a full-time athletic equipment manager and a boys’ volleyball coach. Call Bob Halford at 544-4670 for information. . . . La Habra High School is taking applications for a swimming and water polo coach to replace Tom Dixson, who resigned to take a teaching position in Carlsbad. A teaching position will be offered with the coaching job. Call Zeff Dean, assistant principal, at (213) 905-0907 for information.