Usa U21 Speedway Team Practice Report

[Ryan]

If success is measured in marked improvement and overwhelmingly positive reviews, then the USA U21 Speedway Team Practice at Perris Raceway on Saturday can be viewed as a smashing success.

 

Nine USA U21 Team Members from Southern California and three Team Members from Northern California spent five hours on the race track receiving instruction and tips about their racing technique, bike setup, and making better starts from former World Champion Greg Hancock. In addition to on-track instruction, Hancock also gave them advice about racing and life in Europe. The group was also joined by two injured Team Members who still saw the value in learning from watching and listening to Hancock give instructions to others as well as his advice about competing in Europe.

 

Team Members who attended the event were Ricky Wells, Jason Ramirez, Gino Manzares, Bryce Starks, Ricky Felicio, Brad Pappalardo, Joey Holt, Dylan Black, Gabe Price, Brandon Leedy, Fred Cook, Joey St. Louis, and injured racers Austin Novratil and Rocco Scopellite.

 

The day began with the racers getting reacquainted with the Team Members that they already knew and meeting those that they hadn’t known prior to the afternoon. The team gathered together for a roll call, introductory session, and a brief preview of the day from Hancock. The team members then posed on the track for a team photo shoot decked out in their USA U21 Speedway Team Member shirts, including Honorary Team Member Hancock.

 

The racers took to the track in groups of three under the watchful eyes of Professor Hancock. Whenever Hancock saw something that could be improved he would stop the racer and give him one-to-one direct instruction either verbally or by physically showing the racer how their technique could be improved. He also gave suggestions about gearing and bike setup as well. During the first track preparation Hancock talked to the riders collectively before they hit the track again for more direct instruction.

 

During the second track preparation Hancock shared some of his experiences from his 22 seasons that he has spent racing in Europe. He also gave advice about lifestyle and attitude. The racers listened intently and it was obvious that they were soaking up every word that was spoken. They truly appreciated getting advice about speedway life in Europe from a true expert who has actually experienced the life that they hope to someday have for themselves.

 

The racers took to the track for another session of their racing technique and it this point in the afternoon it was obvious to even the untrained eye that every racer had improved in just a couple hours. Satisfied looks from racers, parents, and supporters throughout the pits.

 

Then the eight-time National Champion spent the final teaching session improving the toughest aspect of speedway – starts. The racers came to the tapes in pairs and after each start they would receive direct instruction from one of the World’s best gaters. Every racer was faster to turn one after their lesson than they were before it.

 

Hancock was so focused on teaching the racers and helping them get better that he eschewed getting practice laps for himself until the final 30 minutes of the day. The racers and spectators stopped everything they were doing to watch the master at work and to learn even more.

 

As if the racers weren’t busy enough riding and learning throughout the day, they were also conducting interviews for Speedwaywebcast.com. Their five-man crew was busy running all over the facility filming interviews, practice action, one-to-one instruction, and also casual conversations that took place.

 

A couple of group photos have already been posted on the USA U21 Speedway Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/groups/usau21speedway ) for our fans to view and other pictures will be added shortly. If you have not joined our Facebook page, please click on the link and join.

 

The rave reviews and positive feedback led to suggestions of another practice session being conducted as soon as possible. We received some suggestions for different practice formats. The February speedway schedule in Southern California means there are a limited number of available weekend dates, but USA U21 Speedway will attempt to have a public announcement soon.

 

USA U21 Speedway and all of its Team Members would like to thank Greg Hancock for spending his afternoon to help 14 young men become better racers. His instruction will help them become better racers and will also make the racing in America that much better as well.

 

USA U21 Speedway thanks all of the racers who took advantage of this incredible opportunity and for their parents and supporters who brought them to the track. All of the racers were extremely positive and professional throughout the day while also maintaining their youthful exuberance.

 

USA U21 Speedway would also like to thank Freddie Edwards and the Southern California Flat Track Association for providing a wonderfully prepared race track; Carrie Hancock and Carrie Hancock Speedway Promotions for coordinating this practice and for diligently working at the front gate; the Speedwaywebcast.com crew of Mike Salyer, Phil Hakopian, Darin Purcell, John Rudow, and Jeff Clair for all their hard work and their vision of the future; Tom Fox for volunteering to work in the infield and the starting gate; and Sherry Child for running the USA U21 Team Gear merchandise stand.

 

USA Under 21 Speedway greatly appreciates all the support at this event as well as other events and fundraisers that we plan on having in the very near future. USA U21 Speedway will be posting more details regarding these in the coming days.

 

The USA will begin their quest at the Qualifying Round on Sunday, May 1, 2011 in Rivne, Ukraine. The other teams in the meeting will be Finland, Slovenia, and the host nation, Ukraine. The American team will travel to Britain and compete in several matches there before going to the FIM Qualifier meeting. The entire trip would take approximately two to three weeks.

 

The teams finishing first and second in the Qualifying Round will then compete in the Semi-Final Rounds in Rawicz, Poland or Diedenbergen, Germany on Saturday, May 28. The top teams for the Semi-Finals progress to the Final which will be held in Balakavo, Russia on Saturday, September 3.

 

USA Under 21 Speedway, LLC is a not-for-profit organization founded by Richard Child, Gary Gomez, and Ryan Evans to further develop young American speedway racers to improve their skills individually and to return the United States to a prominent level in international speedway.