Motor Racing : Holguin Invests Future on New Used Car

Charlie Holguin is hoping to steer his racing fortunes into a dramatic U-turn today at Sears Point International Raceway in Sonoma.

“We’re really going to shine,” said Holguin, 25, a Newbury Park resident. “I ought to finish in the top three at least.”

A bold prediction considering Holguin’s track record in his first season as a professional race car driver. He has yet to win.

As a member of the Team Long Beach entry in the American Cities Racing League, Holguin will compete today in the Firestone Firehawk Challenge Race, a 100-kilometer, $22,000 Sports Car race sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America.

It is the seventh in a 10-race series, which includes races in Phoenix, Riverside, Portland and Spokane. Holguin, who has earned about $2,500 this season, came close to winning in Portland on July 31, but mechanical problems caused him to finish fifth.

“The gear-shift lever broke,” Holguin said. “A 25-cent part.”

Holguin doesn’t plan on that happening again because. . . .

“I have a new car,” he said.

Not exactly. But compared to his 1979 Tiga, an ’86 model must seem like new. The car formerly belonged to teammate Jim Paul of Long Beach.

“We ought to do very well,” said Holguin, who also teams with Bob Hommel of San Diego. “I want to make it in racing. I want to drive Indy some day. I love driving, and slowly I’m coming up the ranks.”

Holguin raced go-carts for eight years and was a national champion in 1983. He also holds the distinction of having won the final sports car race at Riverside International Raceway, which was closed last month to make way for a housing development.

Out in front: Sepulveda’s Roman Calczynski will attempt to increase his points lead as the NASCAR All-American Challenge Series Southwest Tour resumes today with Race No. 13 at Stockton 99 Speedway. The 100-mile late-model stock car race will be run on a -mile paved oval.

Calczynski, who assumed the lead in the 19-race, $470,000 series two weeks ago, leads Troy Beebe of Modesto by only seven points. The top five drivers, who also include former Saugus Speedway Modified division champion Ron Hornaday Jr. of Palmdale, are separated by only 153 points.

Motocross: Jeff Leisk of Agoura Hills is currently third in the points standings of the American Motorcyclist Assn. Bel-Ray 500cc National Championship Series after a second-place finish at Kenworthy’s Motocross Park on July 31.

Leisk, with 153 points, trails Rick Johnson of El Cajon (181) and Ron Lechien of El Cajon (166) after four of six events.

In the RK Pro 125cc Series, Erik Kehoe of Granada Hills finished sixth in the first race, did not finish the second race and placed 13th overall. Despite his poor performance, Kehoe (364) remains second in the points standings.

Award winner: Dave Phipps is as humble as the Indianapolis 500 is long. Saugus Speedway’s defending Sportsman division champion and current points leader shunned the spotlight when he learned this week that he was selected national driver of the week.

Phipps has notched consecutive wins at Saugus. On Saturday night, the 40-year-old Simi Valley resident climbed from 23rd position by making impressive passes on the outside of the track.

“There were a lot of guys in front of me and nobody would give it a try,” Phipps said. “I’m extremely happy and proud. I thought that kind of award was for big-time guys like Bobby Allison and Dale Earnhardt. I guess maybe not.”