U.S. Team Ready For Under 21 Speedway Challenge
Henny Ray Abrams | April 10, 2012
A U.S. team of young speedway racers is set to take on the world’s best in the opening round of the Team Speedway Under 21 World Championships, scheduled for April 12 in Rivne, Ukraine.
The team that will head to Ukraine includes Ricky Wells of Yorba Linda, California; Russell Green of Gardena, California; Gino Manzares of Corona, California; Michael Buman of Binghamton, New York; Bryce Starts of Auburn, California; Dylan Black of Hesperia, California; and Brad Pappalardo of Corona, California.
“While the sport of speedway is still growing in the United States, this fast-paced spectacle on two-wheels is one of the most popular motorsports overseas,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “The AMA is proud to be represented by this talented group of young riders who will face the world’s toughest competition as they race for American honor.”
After the opener in the Ukraine, the four-round series moves to Great Britain, Germany then Poland. The final will take place on September 12 in Gniezno, Poland.
In 2011, the Russian team won the FIM Team Speedway Under 21 World Championship in its own Trud Stadium of Balakovo, Russia. Team Denmark finished second and Team Ukraine finished third. The U.S. team did not qualify for the final in 2011.
Henny Ray Abrams | Contributing Editor
Abrams is the longest-serving contributor at Cycle News. Over the course of his 35-some years of writing and shooting photos, he’s covered events from MotoGP to the Motocross World Championship - and everything in between.
