Beattie flies the flag

By John Hopkins

TORONTO, ON -- Petrolia, ON's Steve Beattie led the Canadian contingent through the opening two rounds of the AMA Hot Shoe dirt track series.

Last Friday at Oglethorpe Speedway in Savannah, GA Beattie was the lone Canadian to qualify for any of the four finals and placed 12th in 505 Expert on his Honda. The race was won by Ken Coolbeth. Other Oglethorpe victors were Chris Carr in 750/1000 Expert, AJ Eslick in H-D Sportster and Chase Sconyers in 505 Pro Sport.

On Sunday at Volusia Speedway Park Beattie cracked the 750/1000 Expert and 505 Expert features. He took sixth in the 750/1000 Expert and fifth in 505 Expert. Jared Mees won both features.

Other Volusia winners were Clayton Riggle in H-D Sportster and Gary Conklin in 505 Pro Sport.

The Hot Shoe series was slated to continue tonight at Daytona's Municipal Stadium but has been called due to rain.