Larsen Proves Dominating in Ventura Motorcycle Event

After the first event of Ventura Raceway’s “Speedway Summer Classic” on Saturday, some of the 2,776 spectators must have been wondering just how crazy you have to be to race a motorcycle.

Josh Larsen of Costa Mesa proved to be the craziest and the hardiest of the 16 first-division riders to make it through five heat races prior to his victory in the American Motorcycle Assn.’s four-lap main event Saturday night.

Larsen was the top qualifier from the heats with 14 points. Next were Gary Hicks of Riverside and Bobby Schwartz of Costa Mesa, each with 13 points. Ojai’s Eddie Castro was fourth with 12.

Larsen continued his dominating ways in the final, leading wire to wire for the victory. Castro took second, Hicks placed third and current season points-leader Schwartz finished fourth.

Chris Manchester of Hesperia won the four-lap consolation championship going away as the other three riders all had mechanical failures.

Saturday’s program also featured New Zealand side-car events. This class features two riders on a 1000cc bike that turns only to the right.

The side-car rider rides with one leg hooked over the rear fender while the driver balances his body weight on the front foot peg, leaving his back to skim just above the track’s surface.

The San Bernardino team of Dean Steele and Duane King dominated the side-car action, winning all three heats. However, the four-lap main event went to the team of Steve Stanton and Tom Tufts of Colton.