Veteran Monarchs asset, Mike Faria has won the American Final of the World Championships at Auburn, Northern California.
Mike rode for the Monarchs in 1995 and 1996 initially on loan from Belle Vue and then on a full transfer. He was top of the Monarchs averages for both seasons and could hold his own with most of the top riders around Powderhall and Shawfield in the 'one big league' operating.
Mike finished at the head of a strong field including UK based Elite League riders Sam Ermolenko, Josh Larsen, and Chris Manchester. The current Grand Prix riders, Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill, plus Ronnie Correy did not attend.
The top four riders in the American Final qualify for the Overseas Final of the World Championships.
The results after a very tight meeting was as follows:
|
Rider |
|
|
|
||||
|
1. |
Mike Faria |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
13 |
|
2. |
Josh Larsen |
0 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
12 |
|
3. |
Jim Sisemore |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
12 |
|
4. |
Bert Bast |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
|
5. |
Charlie Venegas |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
12 |
|
6. |
Billy Janniro |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
|
7. |
Sam Ermolenko |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
8. |
Bobby Heddon |
3 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
|
9. |
Bobby Schwartz |
1 |
3 |
0 |
N |
2 |
6 |
|
10. |
Robert Curry |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
|
11. |
Chris Manchester |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|
12. |
Pat Linn |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
13. |
Chad Felicio |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
|
14. |
Bob Hicks |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
|
15. |
Randy DiFrancesco |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
16. |
Gary Hicks |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
R |
Ian Ferris |
1 |
1 |
The run off for places 2nd to 5th finished: Larsen, Sisemore, Bast, Venegas. As things stand the four qualifiers, Mike Faria, Josh Larsen, Jim Sisemore, and Bert Bast plan to come contest the Overseas Final. With only the Eastbourne based Larsen currently competing in Europe, some sponsorship may be needed to allow Faria, Sisemore, and Bast to attend and obtain competitive equipment.
All at Edinburgh will no doubt wish Mike the best of luck in the Overseas Final if he makes it over this year.