Moran Seeks World Motorcycle Title Tonight : Speedway racing: Huntington Beach rider trying to become the first American in eight years to win the championship.

Shawn Moran of Huntington Beach will attempt to become the first American in eight years to win the world championship of speedway motorcycle racing, which will be held tonight at Bradford Stadium in England.

Moran is one of four favorites in the 16-rider field. Two-time defending champion Hans Nielsen of Denmark, Per Jonsson of Sweden and Kelvin Tatum of England are considered Moran’s top threats.

Another top rider, Jan Pedersen of Denmark, withdrew because of a broken arm.

The last American rider to win the world championship was Bruce Penhall, who won in 1982 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Penhall retired after the race, but follows the sport.

“You have to favor Hans Nielsen, but I think Shawn could either win or he’ll be way down the ladder,” Penhall said. “Shawn’s problem has always been his ability to put together five good rides at a meeting.”

Nielsen, the No. 1 draw, will start on the pole in his first and last heat races. Moran will meet Nielsen in their final race, Heat No. 17.

Two weeks ago, Moran won the InterContinental Final in Fjeldsted, Denmark, scoring 14 points and dropping only one point in five heat races when he allowed teammate Ronnie Correy to pass him and win a race.

“It was the best I have seen Shawn ride in three years,” said Phillip Rising, editor of Speedway Star magazine in England.

Moran is attempting to become only the third rider since 1936 to win the world championship after winning the InterContinental Final, the final qualifying round that leads to the world championship.

Peter Collins of England won both races in 1976, Ole Olsen of Denmark did it in 1978 and Penhall won both in 1981.

Two Americans have come close to winning a world championship since Penhall retired. Lance King of Fountain Valley tied Erik Gundersen and Nielsen for first place in 1984 in Gothenburg, Sweden, but finished third after a runoff.

Sam Ermolenko of Cypress tied Gundersen and Nielsen in 1985 at Bradford but wound up third after a runoff. Gundersen and Nielsen have won every world championship since 1983, when West German Egon Muller won in Norden, West Germany.

Moran has competed in two world championship races, finishing eighth in 1984 and fifth in 1985. He is the only rider to win in the InterContinental Final three times.

Moran should benefit having two American teammates in the race today. Correy, of Fullerton, and Rick Miller of Reseda gives the U.S. three riders in the world championship for the first time since 1982.

Correy is the top-scoring American rider in the British Speedway League, where he is averaging 8.96 points (out of 12).

“I expect Ronnie to be on the rostrum at the end of the day,” Penhall said. “He’s had a World Final under his belt (eighth last year) and there’s no pressure on him.”