Paul Carruthers | November 1, 2007
The following is from the Bast family…
This letter is to inform Cycle News of the passing away of modern day Speedway legend Steve Bast. Steve Bast died October 30th at 1:00 pm due to complications of kidney failure and heart failure. Steve was 55 years of age and passed at Auburn Faith Hospital in Auburn CA.
Just to name a few of Steve’s motorcycle racing accomplishments he won the 50cc expert class at Corganville GP in 1965, Westlake Village GP 1967,68, and 69, Open 500cc and 200cc class, 175cc Elsinore GP 1970. His accomplishments went on to Speedway racing in 1970 when he was the first American to be a member of the British League Wembly Lions Speedway team. Steve was also the first american of post war to win the US Speedway championship in 1969 and on to repeat that championship in 1974. Included in his Speedway championships were 6 California State Championships. Steve was also among 6 members of the first american test team in 1972 to travel “down under” to Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Jerusalem, and Europe.
Steve was a true American Speedway icon and will be missed by many. He is survived by many family and friends who dearly loved him.
Paul Carruthers | Editor
Paul Carruthers took over as the editor of Cycle News in 1993 after serving as associate editor since starting his career at the publication in 1985. Carruthers has covered every facet of the sport in his near-28-year tenure at America's Daily Motorcycle News Source.
