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 Jeremy Midkiff shown with one of the "Gator on the Geaux" statues which informally represent southwest Louisiana. September 15, 2001 Subject-Local Talent
Jeremy "Maestro" Midkiff Other interests: Aspires to an appointment to the Air Force Academy Races Speedway events on dirt and ice Motorcycle Brand: Jawa 500cc. Dry clutch, air cooled, single cylinder, nitromethane fuel, no brakes, oversized crank, one speed, no transmission, approximately 45 hp. Can accelerate from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. Sponsors: (1. Possum Cove Motorsports Park (2. Stargazer Photography Local Tracks: (1. Possum Cove Motorsports Park (2. Leesville 171 Speedway Class: Pro Recent Accomplishments: Spent the summer of this year in the Speedway racing school located at Sandburr Speedway in Northglen, CO. Paid for his tuition and living expenses working as a sheet metal worker for a local firm specializing in the fabrication of air conditioning ducts. Why do you race? " Because I come from a racing family, and I just love to race"
What was your best racing moment? "Beating my uncle Wayne "Old Crusty" Jones, and my other mentor, Rome "Crash" Comeaux, for the first time in a Speedway race. Where did you get the nickname "Maestro"? My uncle, Wayne Jones, gave it to me." What do you plan to do as a racing professional? " I want to go to Europe in the summers to race on the Speedway dirt tracks, and then race on the Speedway ICE circuit in the winter months back in the USA." Do you think you can make a living as a Speedway racer? "If I am good enough. I have made up to $400 in prize money in just one night's racing."
Submitted by Stephen D. Turner |
 Rome Comeaux
Birthdate - August 11, 1966
Sponsors Classes - Pro-Sport Dirt Track, Pro Speedway
Recent Accomplishments
Why Do You Race?
What Was Your Best Racing Moment?
What Was Your Weirdest Racing Moment?
What Was Your Worst Racing Moment?
What Is Your Favorite Track?
What Are Your Goals?
Submitted by Stephen D. Turner |
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Moss Bluff Rider Scorches Ice
Wayne Jones of Moss Bluff scorched the ice and the competition on Friday February 15th, 2002,in the 1st Heat of the International I.C.E. competition held in Tampa, Florida. The venue for Wayne’s victory was the Tampa Ice Palace. The indoor hockey rink was converted to a red-hot Speedway track for the kevlar-armored gladiators to compete on. Speedway bikes are powered by a 500cc, single-cylinder engines capable of accelerating the bike and rider to 60 mph in about 2-1/2 seconds. The tires of the bikes are studded with stainless steel screws to provide “bite” on the frozen racing surface. So much traction is available that riders must be careful at the start not to flip over backwards. Riders face a real threat from the razor sharp screw heads if they fall or run into each other. Kevlar and leather protective clothing helps a lot, but the spinning tires can still act like buzz saws and cause serious injury. I.C.E. events feature professional Speedway riders from all over the world. They come from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, and Eastern Europe to challenge U.S. riders in the tight confines of indoor hockey rinks. Riders come to the United States in the middle of our winter because the European Speedway tracks are primarily outdoors, and the harsh winter weather causes those tracks to close. By racing indoors in the U.S., the Speedway riders are able to keep their skills sharp, and keep race winnings coming in (provided that the U.S. racers don’t beat them, of course). Wayne Jones was able to push his 2000 model Jawa to be front of the pack in Heat 1, and then finished second in Heat 2. In the Main Event, he faced the past World Champion, Anthony Barlow. Anthony’s mount is fitted with an experimental fuel injection system, and with Silver Rocket screws in the tires. Barlow went to the front and stayed there to the flag. James Mann finished second, and Nicky FaFard, just edged out Wayne for third. There will be an I.C.E. event March 9th, 2002, in the Century Tel Center in Bossier City. A trio of Moss Bluff Speedway racers will be representing our country and our area. Wayne will be joined by Rome Comeaux and by Jeremy Midkiff. Jeremy attended a Speedway Racing Camp in Colorado all last summer and was recently featured in Cycle News as an up and coming Speedway specialist. Let’s wish them all the best of luck as they carry the Stars and Stripes into the arena.
Submitted by Stephen D. Turner |
Scott "Scotty" Beckley Local Talent
Birthdate: May 30, 1986
Sponsors: S100 Cleaners-Bradford, CT
Local Track: Waco 1/2 mile-Waco,TX
Recent Accomplishments: Finished 12th nationwide in AMA 250cc Modified Class, State championships in CO, KS, TX, MO, KY, and NE,
Has also won races in SD, IL, LA, OK, and IA, Why do you race? "For the adrenaline rush and to please the spectators." What was your best racing moment? "In 2000, I won the Texas vs. Oklahoma shootout. It was held at the Texas Motor Speedway as part of the WrenchHead Nationals. I jumped the start and was moved to the back row. I am proud tosay that I was able to pass the entire pack and bring home the victory for Texas." What was your weirdest racing moment? "Running out of gas in the 1st corner of a Heat Race at the 2001 Nationals, held at Indianapolis." What do you ride when not competing on the track? "I ride a Honda XR100 to refine my dirt riding skills and a Honda CBR600 on the street." What is your favorite motorcycle shop or dealer? "Riley's, because the owner has helped me so much in my racing program." Do you have any superstitions? "I try to stay away from the color green, and the number 13. I guess I adopted those from my Dad." What was the greatest positive influence on your racing career? "I attended the American Super Camp held in McKinney, TX four times. Chris Carr, Nicky Haden, Will Hayden (sadly, no longer with us), and Danny Walker were great teachers and a source of motivation." What goal have you set for yourself? "Short term, I am looking forward to turning Pro, when I am 16. Then I want to turn Expert and win the AMA Grand National some day."
Submitted by Stephen D. Turner
Interview via phone |
Henry (Hank) Avello Name: Henry (Hank) Avello Birthdate: 7/14/51 Residence: Birmingham, AL, but relocating to Lake Charles, LA Other Interests: Anything having to do with motorcycling, or motorsports in general. Discipline: Road racing Motorcycle Brand: Honda Hawk NT 650 Sponsors: Lockhart-Phillips Team Privateer, DB Motorsports (Bridgestone Tires), Floribama Riders Motorcycle Club, Motoace, 29 Dreams Motorcycle Campground Resort Local Track: Talladega Grand Prix Raceway, but soon to be No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, LA Class(es): WERA Clubman, Light Weight Twins, D Superike Recent Accomplishments: Finished 3rd in Clubman SE Region, Finished 4th in Clubman WERA Grand National Finals Quotes: Why do you race? For sheer enjoyment. The thrills and challenges are unparalleled. And, I get to beat up on the younger riders (hee hee!) What was your best racing moment? Coming in 1st in Clubman at the Carolina Motosports Park Round. That was my 1st podium finish ever. Also, every time I come back to the pits, my friends welcome me back as if I were Miguel Duhamel. What was your weirdest racing moment? In my very first race, I was getting all kinds of instructions from well-wishers. One piece of advice was on how to get off the line quickly. I was told to hold the rpms at 4500 and then dump the clutch at the green flag. When I did just that, the bike performed a huge wheelie, almost throwing me off. Then the bike slammed down, further disorienting me, and I popped yet another wheelie. I did finally get the bike going down the track, but I did not have a great finish in that race. Have you ever done anything you regretted on a race track? I attempted a bonehead pass on a couple of my competitors going into Turn 1 at Talladega. I went in too fast, got past one rider, but got cut off on the inside by the other. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time presented me with only 2 choices; either t-bone another racer, or go on to the grass. I chose the agricultural route and had a big crash. Farmer Hank sustained a bent bike, and hurts to my shoulder, knee, and heel. Two chipped teeth and a nasty knot on my noggin completed the ensemble. Is there any other type of motorcycle racing that you would be interested in trying? Yes, I would like to try out ice racing if I can hook up with someone locally who can show me the ropes, and help me borrow an ice bike.
Submitted by Stephen D. Turner
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Cory Richard Subject: Local Talent Cory "Shrimp" Richard Birth Date: 03-23-94 Residence: Moss Bluff, Louisiana Height: 4'0" Weight: 56lbs Other interests: Football & Fishing Class: 80CC & 100CC Motorcycle Brand: Honda 85CC Local Tracks: (1. Field of Dreams Speedway (2. Topsy Raceway Recent Accomplishments: 1st Place O'Reilly Nationals Salina, Oklahoma
Submitted by http://www.richardsraceteam.com
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Ty Allen Manuel Subject: Local Talent Ty Allen Manuel 5 Years Old Residence: Lake Charles, Louisiana Class: 50cc Motorcycle Brand: Yamaha 50cc I was wanting to boast about my 5 year old son Ty Allen Manuel, said to be the youngest rider in the upcoming Gulf Coast Arenacross Championship. Ty is 5 years old and has been riding his 50cc Yamaha since he was 4 years old. He has suffered a broken collar bone the 2nd day after purchasing the dirt bike over a year ago. His incentive to getting the dirt bike was to learn how to ride his regular bicycle, which he accomplished that feat in less than 3 days. He has raced at Bruce Bech & Mark Burch's Field of Dreams Speedway in Sweet Lake, Louisiana and also at Toot Reeves' Topsy Raceway. He stays glued to TV watching sports events involving dirt bikes. He is a Kindergartner in Mrs. Melinda Thibodeaux's class at Fairview Elementary School. He's polished his helmet ready for the upcoming event. He's sponsored by Pro Tech Audio in Lake Charles. Parents are Lynn Manuel and Jo Ellen Manuel, Grandparents are Buddy & Totsie Mouton and Mack & Nola Manuel all of Lake Charles
Submitted by Jo Ellen M. Manuel
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