INDUSTRY SPEEDWAY - THE GRAND - California

Pictures and words by Cary Cotterman

The Grand is a spectacularly sited venue standing atop the tree-covered Puente Hills in City of Industry, 27 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The 140-metre speedway oval and spectator seating areas are entirely sheltered by a high roof supported by steel trusses and stone-masonry columns. The stadium, which was originally for equestrian events, is open on all four sides to allow for air circulation. A large video screen suspended from the centre of the roof is used to show action replays between heats.

These photos were taken on the evening of the California State Speedway Championship on 17 September, 2008. The meeting was run in a traditional individual format, with 20 heats and no semis or final, the title being decided by points alone. Charlie Venegas became champion with a score of 13, followed by New Zealand's Ricky Wells on 12 points despite hitting the fence hard in his fourth outing, and Shawn McConnell on 11. Fifty-two-year-old former international star Bobby Schwartz tied with four other riders on 10 points for fourth place. Promoters Bruce Penhall and Jeffrey Immediato operate their track with utmost efficiency--a full programme of second and third division heats, as well as juniors and Australian-style sidecars, was run in addition to the state championship final, and all 43 races were completed by 9:40.

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