Mike Griffith: Motorcycles set to invade fairgrounds
| Thursday, Sep 18 2008 12:11 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 05:59 PM
The confines are tight, which should make the action even more intense as flat track motorcycle racing returns to the arena at the Kern County Fair on Saturday.
Conceived by Eddie Mulder and sponsored in part by Bakersfield's Digger Helm, the event features competition in a wide variety of professional and amateur classes for all ages.
The "money" race is the Digger Helm Pro class where riders square off for a share of a $12,000 purse.
At least seven touring pros will be on hand, including Henry Wiles of Blanchard, Mich., the latest National Championship Short Track winner. Wiles won the final short track National of the 2008 season in Springfield, Ill., on Aug. 30th. Jared Mees from Clio Mich., who is a former winner of the local event and twice runner up for the No. 1 National ranking, will also take to the track.
They will be joined by San Jose's Shawn Russell, racing brothers Sam and Jethro Halbert from Washington, Brandon Bergen from Clio, Mich., and Steve Murray from Grand Blanc, Mich.
Mulder, of Littlerock, Calif., and Helm are both former riders and members of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
"We both remember how tough it was on the road ... racing in a different town night after night," Helm said of his sponsorship of the highest-paying short track race in the West. "I felt that if we could get some money in the pockets of these young riders they could have a chance to chase their dream like we did. We stated four years ago by offering a few hundred dollars and it's just grown and grown."
But Helm noted Saturday night's racing is about much more than just the pros. The youngest rider last year was five and the oldest was former stunt man Bob Harris, 85.
Harris was injured two months ago during a race inn Hanford but will be back on the bike Saturday.
"Bob is one tough little dude," Helm said. "He went end over end three times. Most of the younger riders would have just taken the rest of the year off ... but not Bob."
The race is free with fair admission. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., practice starts at 4:30 with the first of the qualifying heats at 6.
QUICK SHIFTS
The Western Allstars Late Model Series rolls back into Bakersfield Speedway Saturday night where A.J. Kirkpatrick of Castroville will be seeking his third win of the season. Kirkpatrick has won two of the last three races at the track.
Still looking for his first win at Bakersfield is point leader Chris Shannon of Merced.
Also in action will be IMCA Modifieds and Street Stocks.
Gary Dutton has locked up his second straight track championship in the IMCA Modified division wile Tim Randolph holds a 24-point lead over Robby Sawyer in the Street Stock division. Racing starts at 6.
Bobby Quinton crossed the finish line first last Saturday night in the Hobby Stock feature at Bakersfield Speedway but Devan Jones, who finished second, was credited with the win when Quinton refused to tear down his engine for a technical inspection.
Jason Fensler won the NASCAR Camping World West race at Altamont Raceway Park in Tracy last Saturday. David Mayhew of Bakersfield overcame two flat tires to place second. Terry Henry of Bakersfield was 14th.
* Rookie Buddy Shepherd, 8, came up short in his bid for the Junior Sprint championships at Visalia Raceway Park on Saturday as he finished fifth in the final race of the season. Shepherd won seven times in 15 races.
