LOCAL NOTES : Two County Motorcyclists Sputter at World Final
Two Orange County speedway motorcyclists were unsuccessful Saturday in their bid to become the world champion.
Sam Ermolenko of Cypress scored only seven points and Ronnie Correy of Fullerton finished with six points on a rain-soaked track in Warsaw, Poland. A third American rider, Rick Miller of Reseda, also scored six points. The start of the world final was delayed an hour because of rain.
Ermolenko, who was competing in his sixth world championship, was one of the favorites to win the race. He had previously finished second in 1985 and was third in 1987 and 1988. Correy was competing in his third world championship.
Last month, Correy and Ermolenko teamed to lead the United States to the world best pairs title in Italy.
British rider Gary Havelock scored 14 points to claim the world championship. Per Jonsson of Sweden was second with 11 points and Gerd Handberg of Denmark was third with 10.
Only two Americans have won world championships--Jack Milne won the title in 1937 and Bruce Penhall of Laguna Hills won in 1981 and 1982.
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