WORLD BEST PAIRS MOTORCYCLE RACING : Ermolenko, Correy Finish Fourth in Semifinals

American speedway motorcycle riders Sam Ermolenko of Cypress and Ronnie Correy of Fullerton failed to qualify for the World Best Pairs championships when they finished fourth Sunday in semifinal competition in Pocking, Germany.

Defending world champions Hans Nielsen and Tommy Knudsen led Denmark to the semifinal victory with 26 points, followed by Italy (20), West Germany (20) and the United States (19). The top three teams advance to the world championship, July 20 in Poland against Sweden, Norway and Czechoslovakia.

Correy was a last-minute replacement for Billy Hamill, who missed the required sign-up period by 20 minutes because his flight was delayed. Correy scored 12 points and Ermolenko added seven points.