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Our Previous U.S. National Champions

Charlie Venegas
2000-2006
US Speedway Champ Billy Hamill 2007
US Speedway Champ

Some Great Riders In US Speedway History & Speedway History
Rick Woods, Steve and Mike Bast, Danny Becker, Sonny Nutter and Bill Cody were the pioneers of what we call Speedway racing here in Southern California. All of these guys are still household names in racing circles and gave a lot towards Speedway's rebirth in the late '60s. There were some colorful riders at the re-birth of Speedway and each had a unique style and image. Friday Night Speedway at Costa Mesa was an show. Everyone went to Speedway.....Soon more tracks emerged and there was Speedway Racing 5 Nights a week! Some racers made a good living and it was actually a business rather than a fun sport. Top riders made $1,000.00 a night and more, today that is a good pay check for a days work, but in the 70's that was insane money. (perhaps $5,000.00 today who knows) Some riders joined together to unify so riders could continue to make a decent living, the SRA which supported the riders was broken by promoters. Some riders, even current champs said they wanted to keep the pay, sit for good money, but soon left to ride anyways, and the image and outlook of speedway soon changed until today. Europe is the only place where riders can make a decent living, and many people today are active & working hard to build Speedway up to its old status. With the rising cost of operating tracks & insurances it is a challenge for promoters as well. But many are working hard to give back to the sport and desire to re-build its image to days of the past. The past few years Speedway has been on the climb with record crowds. The Bumblebee starting racing in the hay day of Speedway and desired that racers could make a decent living racing, not interested in problems, just so all could enjoy a decent pay for winning. Many old timers today are working hard to change the image and face of the sport to see riders paid a decent wage & fair wage. We all hope to bring back the glory days of Speedway. It is truly a great sport, entertaining, and a lot of fun to watch and be a part of.

Mike Bast #1 & 11 Mike won more main events than anyone in US history. Many say that Mike was the best rider ever in US history, he won just about every time he raced. Mike, a money rider, won so much people booed him because he rarely lost and people were tired of the same winner! Easy the most feared riders in US Speedway History. There will never be another Mike Bast. He was truly one of the very best US racers ever to wear a speedway uniform.

Steve Bast #1 & # 6 Steve Passed away in 2007. He Was One Of The Most Naturally Fast & Gifted Riders
Speedway Has Seen. When Steve Was On, No One Could Beat Him. He Wore The Baby Blue & White Colors
And Made It Work. Steve Along With His Brother Mike, Was A Powerful 1-2 Combo In US Speedway In The 70's.

Rick Woods # 1 & # 2 was one of the all time greats in US Speedway. He was fast and real good. Anytime Rick Was On The Track, He Was A Real Threat To Win.
At The End Of Rick's Wonderful Speedway Racing Career, Bumblebee Raced Him & Bruce Penhall In His First
Division 1 Handicap Race. Now That's A Couple Racers Any New D-1 Rider Doesn't Want To Face.
Bee Ended Up 2nd Place With A Last Turn Pass By Bruce Penhall. But Still Never Will Forget Competing Against The Top
Speedway Riders In US History, Rick Woods # 1 In My Book.

Bruce Penhall # 1 & # 45 The Golden Boy of Speedway,
Bruce Was The Most Popular US Speedway Rider Ever,
Especially With The Girls. Never Has One Speedway Rider Been As Successful As Bruce Winning 2 World Championships!
One Of The Most Awesome Riders Ever. Natural & Highly Gifted Talent Bruce Penhall.

Dubb Was One Of The Best & Fastest Riders In His Time. Bumblebee & Dubb Had The Same Tuner,
Jerry Fairchild. Jerry Was The Best Engine Builder Ever. Dubb Was #2 In USA & Bumblebee Was The Young Lion.
Dubb Was Consistent And Just A Awesome Rider. He Was Fast..... Very Very Fast! Though Dubb Never Won
A US Championship, He Nearly Did, And Was Always At The Top. If Anyone Has A Old Photo Of Jerry Fairchild Please Send It To:

Gene Was A Heck Of A Rider In His Day. The Younger Brother of Rick Woods, Gene Showed The Woods Talent Always.
Gene Rode The Outside Smooth & Fast. Gene Was A Fast & Talented Racer. If Anyone Doubted Gene's Ability To Ride A
Speedway Bike, They Better Think Twice. Gene Was Fun To Watch, A Great Legend Of Speedway.
His Sweet Daughter Married Ryan Fisher #36, So Speedway Is Still In The Family. You Can See Gene At The Races Today, And
Heard He Is Racing Cars. Gene Is Talented No Matter What Or When He Rides.

Danny "Berzerko" Becker #22 was a Speedway Motorcycle racer from the southern California area who was active in the 1970s. He was known for his spectacular "on the edge" riding style.

While most riders took the shorter, inside line, Danny would ride the dirt cushion that would build up along the outside wall. The longer path required greater speed and tremendous skills. Few rode the cushion successfully. The Bumblebee bought his first Speedway Bike from Danny, a J.A.P. which was later tuned by the best Speedway tuners at that time, Jerry Fairchild. Sad to say Danny never reached his full potential due to his lifestyle, but he was the single most colorful rider in Speedway History! He rode 22 inch tires, back in the day they had a lot of dirt on the track, and wheeled the bike full speed all the way around the turn with inches to spare before crashing into the crowd. He won sometimes and when he did he had the entire arena going "Berzerko". Danny was one of a kind, and there will never be another Danny "Berzerko" Becker! We love you Dan!

Bobby "Boogaloo" Schwartz # 1 & #11 is one of the longest riding Speedway Riders in American History. Bobby won a Best Pairs World Championship with Bruce Penhall and United States Championships as well. You can never count him out when he races and still wins scratch main events! Bobby is one awesome rider and a great person. Thanks Bobby for all that you've given to Speedway. You are a All Time Great!

Sonny Nutter Was Speedway's Heart Throb! He Was A Pioneer In The Early Days
Of The Sport. Very Strong Rider, Sonny Won His Share Of Races. He Rode With
The Old Fashion Speedway Masks

(Here Is The Old Speedway Mask From The 70's) LOVE IT!!!!!!

Alan Crazy Christian #1N & #1 Was Northern California's First Speedway Champion. Alan Was A Crazy Good Racer.
A Pole Rider, Alan Rode Real Hard, And Was Extremely Successful In US Speedway History. Alan Won As Much As
Anyone On The US Speedway Scene. A True Legend, Alan Christian.

Sonny Nutter & Larry Huffman At Legends Night At Costa Mesa Speedway, September 2008

Who Could Ever Forget The US National Championship At The LA Coliseum In 1975!!?? Thanks Harry Oxley For Putting On A Show.
That Was The Night #275 Jim "The Animal" Fishback Crashed & Flew Into The Third Row & Broke Some Old Lady's Leg.
It Was One Crazy Fun Night For All Except The Old Lady Jim Smashed Up!
AND BRING BACK THE $7.50 LOWER LEVEL FOR THE NATIONALS OXLEY FAMILY!!! HEE HEE

"THE ANIMAL" Jim Fishaback! The First Bad Boy Of Speedway. Jim Came To Speedway From A Long History
Of Racing Desert Off Road & Made Quite A Name For Himself. He Was The Largest Rider Usually And One Tough Rider.
If You Didn't Get To Watch Jim Ride, You Really Missed Out. Bumblebee Raced Jim One Night At Costa Mesa In His Early
Days & Fishback Just Snarled At The Young Bee, Not A Rider To Piss Off! A Talented And Hard Riding Guy.
The One & Only Animal Of Speedway, Jim Fishback.

Sonny Nutter & Jim Fishback At Costa Mesa Speedway Legends Night, September, 2008

"Rad" Brad Oxley #1 &# 5, Brad & The Bumblebee started racing together at Otay Mesa in San Diego & raced in The King of The Hill Finals against each other. Brad then went onto England and raced a few years advancing his racing skills which assisted him to win 2 US National Speedway Championships. Currently, the promoter of Costa Mesa Speedway, family owned for a record 40 years! Also, racing professionals from all over the nation constantly seek Oxley's track building skills.. Brad is active, working to advance the sport and to see it grow.

Bumblebee Working Between Races On His Bike At Legends Night, Changing Gearing, Getting Ready For The Support Main Event!
2nd Place Legends Night, September 2008

"Flyin" Mike Faria # 9 is among the best all-around motorcyclist ever and there is no end in sight. He began racing and winning dirt track races in Northern California in the early '70s and took up Speedway in 1976. Mike traveled the globe winning races in the '70s, '80s, 90s and into the new millennium. Incredibly, Mike is still the favorite to win every time he sits on a motorcycle. Mike is an awesome racer, ageless, who usually wins and rarely falls. One of the greatest US Speedway racers to ever ride a bike. Among the Legends of All Time.

Mike Faria Racing At Costa Mesa Speedway, Legends Night, September 2008
Mike Is Still Going Strong & Winning...... One Of The All Time Speedway Greats Ever, Flyin' Mike Faria!

"Fast" Eddie Castro # 14 is a Bumblebee Team Racer. He has been near the top of the Speedway heap for over 30 years. He has raced and beaten everyone at one time or another. Eddie has had scores of huge, scary crashes and has destroyed a million dollars worth of equipment and body parts. When Castro puts on one of his "wide open on the outside" rides, everyone holds their breath! Yet Eddie continues to get better and better with age! Fast Eddie is always a popular winner. In 2007, Fast Eddie is still winning scratch main events, and track championships. Small in size, yet big in heart. He knows only one speed and that is, "wide open." A Fan Favorite and one of the true good guys in the sport. Eddie is one of the pure great talents in American Speedway.

Shawn "Mad Dog" McConnell # 6 has been racing forever! The Mad Dog competed in Junior 8peedway races way back in the early '70s and has been a top performer ever since. Bumblebee & Shawn started racing the same time and had some good battles at Santa Ana Bowl. He also spent a couple of successful years in the tough British Speedway League. Although he has not won the U. S. National, Shawn is the best at coming through the pack, is the undisputed Speedway Wheelie King and remains Speedway's most prolific showman ever. He also works as a Hollywood Stunt Man riding motorcycles. A real professional, talented racer, and fan favorite.

Greg Hancock #1 7 Time US Speedway Champion, Former World Champion. Greg Is Perhaps The Best Speedway Rider In American History.
He Is The Only Rider To Ride ALL The GP Races In Europe Since The GP Began, Greg Is A Class Act, Great Representative Of American Speedway,
And One Of The Finest Humans You Will Ever Find. Fans Across The World Love Greg Hancock. A True Legend Of Speedway History.

Billy Hamill # 1 & #104 Is One Of The Most Gifted Riders In US Speedway Today. 2007 US Champion, Billy Has Proven He Is
A Cut Above The Field. He Returned From The British League In 2008 After Many Years Of Racing The World.
He Is A Local Home Town Rider With A Big Heart. Billy Has Kept The Gumball Rally Alive And Is A Great Person
& Speedway Rider. A True Legend Of Speedway, #1 & #104

Bobby Hedden # 63 Great Northern California Speedway Racer Who Recently Retired. He Raced With A Go-For-It
Attitude. He Along With His Brother Tommy Are Two Great Speedway Racers & Talented Riders.
He Came Back In 2006-7 US vs World And Rode Amazingly Good Considering He Came Off A Major
Injury. Just Shows You Talent Doesn't Fade. Good Luck Bobby In All You Do.

Steve Lucero # 1 & #18 Known As "THE BAD BOY" Steve Was One Of The Most Competitive Racers
Ever On The Speedway Scene. Just Don't Get In Steve's Way. Bumblebee Once In 1992 Cut Lucero Off At Perris
Speedway To Piss Him Off, And Lucero Gave The Bee A Ear Full. For Sure One NOT To Mess With.
Steve Refereed At The Grand In 2005 And Did A Excellent Job Bringing His Vast Knowledge Of Speedway To
Bringing Fairness To The Sport. His Calls Were Not Always Popular, But The Were Fair. This Is All One Can Ask For.
Steve Lucero, A Champion And Great Person.

Charlie "The Edge" Venegas #1 & #43 Talk About One Of The True Talents For A Long Long Time, Charlie Is It.
He Has Won US Speedway Championships As Well As Ice Race Championships. A Gifted Racer, Charlie Has Ruled
Speedway For Many Years. He Has As Many Wins As Anyone In His Time. When Charlie Races, He Usually Wins.
A Fantastic Rider, A Great Person. One Of The Legends Of Speedway.

Sam Ermolenko #1 & # 13 Retired Former World Champion, Sam Made His Mark On The British League,
As Well As The Entire World Of Speedway! He Now Works In England With A British Team & Continues His Success There. A True American Champion!

Chris Manchester #1 & #130
Chris Is The Youngest Rider Ever To Win A US Championship At The Age Of 19! "The Kid" Though Chris Is No Kid, He Will Always Be Remembered
As One Of The Finest Young Speedway Racers In US History. Chris Is Always A Threat To Win Anytime He Is On The Track.

Ricky Wells # 142
One of the most talented young riders in US History, Ricky won scratch main events at Costa Mesa & Victorville at the age of 16, His First Scratch Main At Victorville At Age 15! Ricky placed 5th in the 2007 US Nationals. He is signed to race in England for the 2008 racing season and we will all miss watching him progress.
An amazing young talent, and perhaps our next US World Champion. We wish Ricky all the best and years old racing and winning. The Best Young Talent in US Speedway, Ricky Wells.
The Sky Is The Limit With Ricky!

Sweed Savage On Costa Mesa Program in 1969! Sweed died racing Indy Cars around 1972 Just 3 Years From When
This Photo Was Taken. He Was A Great Bike Racer & Indy Racer As Well, Miss U Sweed! R.I.P.

R.I.P Ken Maely-The One, The Only, Hot Shoe Man!!! Remember You Making A Speedway Track In Reno, NV
The Day Of The Race With Your Bib Overalls In 29 Degree Weather, Driving The Grader Around The Frozen Speedway Track
Saving The Day So We Can Have A Decent Track To Race. Many Love You Ken, Speedway Is Not The Same w/o You.

Jean Fink & Larry Huffman. Jean And Her Husband Dennis Have Printed ALL Of The Programs At Costa Mesa For 40 Years!
Larry Was One Of The ALL Time Great Announcers, Terry Ike Clanton Is The Great Announcer Now At Costa Mesa Speedway.

Sandy Hicks & Jean Fink, The Score Keepers At Costa Mesa Speedway Since The Start & Back Gate Ladies.
They Both Do A Great Job, Thanks For All Your Good Work Sandy & Jean!

1981-Won World Championship title at Wembley Stadium with 14 points over Ole Olsen who earned 12 points.

1982-Won World Championship title with 14 points over Les Collins who had 13 points at the Los Angeles Coliseum, USA, in the first World Championship ever held in the United States. This also marks the first time an American has won back to back World Speedway Championships!

1993-Won the World Championship title in Pocking with 12 points over Hans Nelsen who Finished with 11 points.

This marked the second time that the USA had won back to back World Speedway Championship titles...and we took home first and second in this one!

Billy Hamill & Greg Hancock At Costa Mesa Speedway

Billy & Greg Are Two Of The All Time Greats In American Speedway. Both Have Served America Speedway Well Racing & Winning All Over The World. We Are Lucky To Have Both Talents And Great Personalities in US Speedway. For Sure They Have World Class Talent & Even Better They Are World Class People. Congrats Billy & Greg, You Two Are Simply, "The Best Ever". (Bumblebee77)

Costa Mesa Speedway Was Alive & Well In The 1970's. Fans Filled The Seats, The Purse Was High,
Riders Were Happy When The Money Was Good, Promoters Made Money Hand Over Fist, There Were
Some Pretty Good Times. Friday Night Speedway At Costa Mesa Was The One & Only Place To Be.
Beautiful Women Brought Lots Of Men To Watch, (the women) And The Races Were Good Too.

Fox Night So Many Women Came It Was Crazy (All women free) Some Men Crossed Dress For A Free
Ticket To Speedway, It Was All Insane. Some Really Fun Nights, Friday Nights Costa Mesa Speedway.
Stands Were Jammed Packed!

Wayyyy back in the 70's, this was the hot set up! You had it all if you had this bike!

JAP Motor, this was the first engine BUMBLEBEE raced Speedway with (and it was fast it it's day)

70's CZ (Jawa) Bumblebee's Dream Motorcross Bike When He Was 12 years old!
(Never got one though) He liked the orange CZ's Most but couldn't find a photo of one.

My old buddy Jim Fishback and the promoter at San Bernardino talked me into racing speedway as my motocross career was winding down. It was 1979 in Southern California, and speedway racing was enjoying it's finest hour: Spectator attendance was up at all four tracks, (Ventura on Tues, San Berdoo on Weds, Ascot on Thurs, and Costa Mesa on Friday nights). Featuring plenty of beer, chicks, and up close, in your face racing, it attracted people who would otherwise never go near a motorcycle race.

It also attracted every skinny, wannabee-a-surfer, can't-ride-a-real-bike, so-I'll-race-speedway dude in California. The top guys, like Mike Bast, Alan Christian, Mike Faria, Bobby Schwartz etc, were raking in a few grand a week, depending on the crowd size. (A fixed percentage of each night's spectator gate was added to the basic AMA purse). Now, I knew these guys, cuz every so often one would show up at a Corona Grand Prix, or some local motocross race I was at, and I would proceed to lap the livin' piss out of them. Being the humble realist that I am, it seemed pretty obvious to me that I would soon be dominating the entire speedway universe, banking all the bucks, and pulling all the chicks, Right? WRONG!

No one ever told me I had to start in 3rd Division. I mean, they did, but I disregarded it... after all, I was Steve Bauer. Heck, the promoter himself was supplying my bike and mechanic; my cornerman, adviser, and personal coach was a speedway god, Jim Fishback. There was no way they could make me race against a bunch of punks who couldn't even ride a real bike... could they? Oh boy, could they ever...

Talk about yer basic humiliation. I would rather have been caught naked in an adult book store video booth with PeeWee Herman, than be seen racing in 3rd Division. Thank God it would only be for one race. I begged and pleaded until John LaDouceur, the promoter, promised me that if I won my first race, even from the zero yard-line, he would move me up to 2nd Division the following week. I should have saved my breath. I languished in the equivalent to the 100cc Beginner class for what seemed an eternity, due mainly to the fact that I could not ride a speedway bike worth a crap. Riding a speedway bike requires you to forget anything you ever knew about technique... and then make your body do just the opposite of what it's natural and conditioned reponse would be. In my honest opinion, anyone who has ANY prior riding experience should not even think about trying speedway. The best candidate would be a midget rodeo clown.

Eventually I made it into First Division, and even won a couple of main events. But for me, speedway was not fun. If you wanted to practice, you could not just load your bike and go riding with your pals. Oh no, you had to rent a track and then go do laps ... Yee-friggin-ha! Plus, at the races, you were locked in the pits. How was I supposed to get laid if I was locked up all night with no poon access? Besides all that, it definitely was not helping my mx riding any. For the record, every motocrosser that attempted to race speedway sucked as bad as me or worse...