COSTA MESA, CA

It was Mission Motorsports Night at Costa Mesa Speedway, a tribute to Mission owner John Matherson, who left us far too soon. He was - and continues to be - a great supporter of Speedway. The Sidecars were on hand; they were a big part of both John and his brother Bill's love of motorcycling. When they were racing, both were strong competitors and forces to be reckoned with, and their equipment was always on the cutting edge.

"Flyin' Mike" Faria is on fire this season. He claimed his third main-event victory.

It was three rounds of Scratch racing, with the top 10 in points transferring to two semifinals. The points were so close that a run-off was necessary for the final transfer spot, between Joey Holt and Doug Greyson. This is Holt's rookie year; he is a Junior transfer, and it was his first night in First Division racing. He did himself proud, as he went wire to wire to top Greyson and take the final semi spot.

The first semi had Faria on the pole, with Jimmy "Li'l Animal" Fishback in two and Steve Russell in three. Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell and Holt were on the outside. The start was clean, and it was Faria with the holeshot, but Fishback was hot on his heels. Once Faria takes the lead, it is no easy task to get around him, so Fishback played it smart, content in knowing he had a direct transfer to the main. McConnell and Russell got ready for the last-chance qualifier. Unfortunately for Holt, his night was over.

The second semi had "Battlin' Buck" Blair on the pole, with Tyson Burmeister in two and "Fast Eddie" Castro in three. Robbie Sauer and John Marquez were in three and four, respectively. The first try at a go saw Castro get into the tapes, and he was sent to the penalty line. This is like the kiss of death when you get to semis.

The second try saw everyone get away clean, with Burmeister leading the way. But you can never count out Blair, who was running second and perfect so far on the night. Marquez was in third, ready to take advantage of any error the front-runners might make. That didn't happen, though, and Burmeister took the win, with Blair second. Marquez and Sauer were headed to the LCQ. Castro was done.

The LCQ saw the pole go to McConnell, with Russell in two, Marquez in three and Sauer in four. It was over as soon as the tapes came up. McConnell on the pole is deadly, as no one rides it better than he does, and once he's there, no one moves him off. He would be the final man in the main.

For the main event, Faria chose the pole. Lining up next to him was Blair. Burmeister was in three, with Fishback in four. McConnell would start on the outside, in five. It was a good start, with Faria out and going away. The real battle was going on behind him. Blair had gotten off second but had his hands full holding off McConnell. On the white-flag lap, they got real up close and personal; unfortunately, Blair got two wheels inside the pole. You can't do that, and although he finished second, he would end up last. McConnell was credited with second. Burmeister and Fishback were third and fourth, respectively.

The Support win went to a rider who hadn't ridden in 13 years, aboard a bike with an upright motor and not a laydown, which is the popular choice today. Archie Perez was perfect on the night, and the only time he wasn't in the lead was the first lap of the main, when Rudy Laurer outgated him. Laurer's lead was short-lived, as Perez took charge on the second lap and never looked back. Laurer was second, and on back it was Mike Wiley, Ryan Tovatt and Rohn Zellner.

The other Sidecars racers found a way to beat Joe Jones & Jimmy Olsen: Put them on a bike that isn't theirs. That's what happened, and winners Scott & Sean Driggers enjoyed the upset immensely.

All the riders and staff at Costa Mesa Speedway wish Grandpa Russell a quick and speedy recovery. Come back soon. We miss you.

Results

SCR MAIN: 1. Mike Faria (JAWA/CZ); 2. Shawn McConnell (GM); 3. Tyson Burmeister (JAWA/CZ); 4. Jimmy Fishback (JAWA/CZ); 5. Buck Blair (JAWA/CZ).

SUP MAIN: 1. Archie Perez (JAWA/CZ); 2. Rudy Laurer (JAWA/CZ); 3. Mike Wiley (JAWA/CZ); 4. Ryan Tovatt (JAWA/CZ); 5. Rohn Zellner (JAWA/CZ).

SUP B MAIN: 1. Jake Myers (JAWA/CZ); 2. Mike Salyer (JAWA/CZ); 3. Todd Silcato (JAWA/CZ); 4. Norman Graham (JAWA/CZ).

SDCR MAIN: 1. Scott Driggers/Sean Driggers (Yamaha); 2. 5150 (Yamaha); 3. Joe Jones/Jimmy Olsen (Yamaha); 4. Gerard Jackson/Dave German (Suzuki).

JR D-1: 1. Rocco Scopellite (JAWA/CZ); 2. Collin Sage (JAWA/CZ); 3. Samuel Ramirez (JAWA/CZ).

JR D-2: 1. Hayley Perrault (Honda); 2. Dillon Rumi (Honda).

JR D-3: 1. Brian Pintar (Honda); 2. Michael Wells (Honda); 3. Gino Scopellite (Honda); 4. Maverick Malloy (Honda).