Lundberg Qualifies #1
Erik Lundberg negotiates Abec 11 Corner enroute to qualifying #1 for tomorrow's race. Photo Bob Ozman
San Dimas, CA, USA- 2007 IGSA World Cup Series Champion Erik Lundberg laid down a blistering first qualifying run today to earn the number one qualifying spot for tomorrow's US Nationals. The Sector 9 team rider is currently living in San Diego while attending college. He made his first ever appearance at Bonelli Park today and quickly came to grips with the treacherous ninety degree Abec 11 corner. His time of 1:03.119 was the fastest time of the day in any catagory. All day long the corner swallowed up rider after rider in its' unrelenting walls of straw.
James Kelly put in a strong 2nd run to qualify 2nd. Photo Bob Ozman
Qualifying in second place was Peyragudes winner Louis Pilloni. Pilloni had a really stong second qualifying run and posted a time of 1:03.968. Lundberg and Pilloni were the only two skaters to break into the 1:03's. James Kelly qualified in the number three position with a time of 1:04.484. Rounding out the top five were Kyle Wester in fourth with a 1:04.863 and Micah Green in fifth with a time of 1:05.017.
Katie Nielson was the #1 Qualifier in the women's division. Photo Bob Ozman
DeKeyser over Lally in Classic Luge
Brent DeKeyser flying through Abec 11 corner. Photo Bob Ozman
2001 X Games Gold medalist Brent Dekeyser was not planning to attend this years US Nationals until he heard his old rival Andy Lally was planning to come. Their rivalry and friendship started back in 2003 when they battled it out in Kaunertal, Austria at the Hot Heels World Championships. That day they battled it out all the way down the mountain with DeKeyser beating Lally by only a few centimeters. Today their battle resumed and DeKeyser landed the first blow by qualifying first with a 1:09.226. Lally was just a few ticks behind with a 1:09.527. Qualifying third was a vastly improved Kyle Castenada with a time of 1:10.390. The young rider spent a lot of time with Lally at Maryhill learning lines and race tactics and the results were clear for everyone to see.
Andy Lally takes a tight line through the ninety. Photo Bob Ozman
Kyle Castenada cuts a perfect apex through Abec 11 Corner. Photo Bob Ozman
Andy Lally picked up right where he left off at Maryhill to earn the number one qualifying position for tomorrow's Street Luge race. Lally recorded a time of 1:05.677 down the Bonelli course. Qualifying second was Justin Toleman with a time of 1:06.097. Kyle Castenada secured the number three starting position with a time of 1:10.390. Brent Dekeyser suffered a huge crash on his first run going straight into the straw bales at Abec 11 corner. Fortunately Brent was uninjured and he plans to race tomorrow.
Warm up runs are scheduled to start on Sunday at 8:00am. Racing starts at 10:00am for Classic Luge and Downhill Inline Skating. The Downhill Skateboard race is scheduled start at 11:00 am and Street Luge is scheduled to start at 1:00pm.
Frank G. Bonelli Park is located approximately 30 miles East of downtown Los Angeles and is easily accessible from throughout Southern California on major freeways.
Directions:
From Los Angeles, take 10 East to 57 North and Exit Via Verde / Raging Waters Drive.
From Orange County take 57 North and Exit Via Verde / Raging Waters Drive.
From San Bernardino and the Ontario International Airport take 10 West to 57 North and Exit Via Verde / Raging Waters Drive.
From Via Verde / Raging Waters Drive Turn East (right) and enter Frank G. Bonelli Park. Go through the park entrance gate and pay the daily park usage fee of $10.00. Proceed down Via Verde until you reach the pit area.
No Alcoholic Beverages are allowed inside the Bonelli Park!
For additional information visit the U.S. Nationals Website.
