Briefly In Sports

Volleyball tournament starts Saturday

The Laguna Beach Fall Classic volleyball tournament will hit main beach beginning Saturday.

“A” Division play for both men and women is Saturday, with “B” Division play Sunday. Cost is $25 and the tournament is sponsored by Laguna Beach.

Sign up individually on the day of the tournament at 8 a.m.

There will also be a players’ party at Hennessey’s Tavern Saturday afternoon after play completes.

For more information e-mail kirkmorgan@cox.net.

Lewis invited to compete in Japan

After an impressive second-place finish in the Formula BMW Pacific Series event in Singapore for Eurointernational, team owner Antonio Ferrari has invited Laguna Beach resident Michael Lewis to race in rounds 13 and 14 of the Formula BMW Pacific event at the Okayama International Circuit in Japan, beginning Oct. 31.

“Michael did very well in the Singapore event and I thought it would be good for him to have another opportunity to race with the Formula BMW Pacific drivers,” Ferrari said in a release. “This will help Michael prepare for next season as the Okayama International Circuit is a first-class facility and it will give Michael another chance to race with the competitive Asian drivers.”

Lewis had an outstanding rookie season with the Eurointernational team in the Formula BMW Americas Championship where he earned the coveted Rookie Driver Championship after a season long battle with a strong contingent of seven other rookie driver candidates.

“I very much appreciate the opportunity that Antonio Ferrari has given me to be able to race in Singapore and now Japan with the Eurointernational team,” Lewis said in the release.

“It is a great experience for a young driver to be able to race and learn from the drivers in another series. I am looking forward to the opportunity to race in Japan and to give our sponsors the extra bonus exposure of these two guest driver appearances in the Formula BMW Pacific races as both of the events will be televised throughout Asia and Europe.”

The Japan Formula BMW Pacific event will conclude Lewis’ 2009 season.

— From staff reports