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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pace: Alex Bartlett continues rise in Bandoleros

Doug Pace

Stateline Speedway’s reigning Bandolero champion, Alex Bartlett, has been on a torrid pace this season in defense of the championship while also challenging for the track championship at Montana Raceway Park. A 6th grader at Horizon Middle School, Bartlett was a rookie in the Bandolero class just one season ago after several years racing go-karts at Sunset Speedway.

A two-time Sunset champion, Bartlett has also earned that track’s Sportsman of the Year award (2012) in addition to three track titles in his last three seasons of racing.

The transition from dirt karting to Bandolero racing has come with some challenges, but Bartlett has kept focused on one race at a time to learn more about competing on full-size tracks.

“It was tough for me at first to get used to all of the equipment I had to wear when I drive my Bando. Initially it was hard to see (out the front window) because I was wearing a Hans device and was inside of a car and strapped in (the seat). In my go-kart it was open (with no race car body around it) and I could move my head around to see where the other drivers were. I spun out a lot on the asphalt when I was learning how to drive the Bando.”

Going between his home track of Stateline and Montana Raceway Park, two tracks that are quarter-mile facilities, also threw Bartlett a curve after winning the Stateline Speedway championship in 2014.

“The tracks are the same size but Montana’s track has bigger banking in the corners. That was hard to get used to. Trying to keep my lines figured out between the tracks can be hard sometimes. I had to figure out a different racing line with that track (Montana Raceway Park),” he said.

Whether it’s racing in Montana or at home, Bartlett has a game plan for each event he enters to get his car to the front.

“I like to go fast and get to the front but most of the time I try to be patient while still going as fast as I can and if there are cars in front of me I try to catch them and try to find a way to get around them and get in front (of the person). Every race is different so it depends on how my car is running and how the other kids are driving.”

With the help of his parents, Doug and Kim Bartlett and crewmembers Shawn Glander and Rusty King, the future appears to be bright for this rising star. Where he goes next in his progression is still yet to be determined, but Bartlett is eager to make the next step.

“My mom says one race at a time but I want to get into a bigger car like a Baby Grand, Legend or Late Model. I just want to get into something faster.”

Drifting invades SCR

The popularity of drifting has increased in motorsports over the last few years with many racing facilities adding the unique form of competition to their schedule. This weekend the sport takes on a big stage as the Stateline Drift group invades Spokane County Raceway’s road course for a two-day event beginning Saturday.

Competitors from across the Northwest are expected to be part of the festivities, which include a show and shine exhibit on Saturday.

Drifting is often a one-car per segment motorsport that features highly tuned four-cylinder race cars. Classes for unaltered cars are also part of a racing event.

Using a technique where the car’s driver purposely over steers through a corner, thus ‘drifting’ off the exit of the turn, car control is a major key to success in this form of racing. Style points, time to tackle a course, angles taken upon exiting a corner and showmanship are additional things that event judges look for when determining an overall winner. Most drift events feature a preliminary or qualifying round then conclude with a finale of high points competitors.

In addition, drift competitions feature events where two cars are on the course at the same time competing for points. Regardless of the format, drifting has become a popular Inland Northwest racing event with several races held during a season.

For more information on this weekend’s Independence Matsuri Drifting competition, log onto spokanecounty raceway.com.

Visit Doug Pace’s local motorsports racing blog at spokesman.com/blogs/ keepingpace. Contact him at racingnewssource @gmail.com.