Speedway Bikes : U.S. Riders Hit Road to World Final

U.S. speedway motorcyclists will take their first step toward the world championship in the Nissan American Final qualifying round at 8 tonight at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

American riders Bobby Schwartz and Shawn Moran, now riding in the British Speedway League, are the co-favorites in the 16-rider field. The top five riders will advance to two more qualifying races leading up to the World Final.

Each rider will compete in five four-man, four-lap heats on the quarter-mile oval, where the menthanol-burning, brakeless bikes reach 80 m.p.h.

Riders are awarded three points for winning a heat, two points for second and one point for third. Schwartz, who lives on Balboa Island during the off-season, is the defending champion. He scored a perfect 15 points last year.

Lance King, 21, of Fountain Valley, finished third in the world competition last year. He will be riding with a special brace after cutting his left ring finger in a crash two weeks ago.

King did not participate in a practice session Wednesday, during which Moran and Schwartz had the fastest laps. Moran was clocked in 17.62 seconds, Schwartz in 17.63.