Doug Pace: Joe Kopp’s motorcycle racing series returns to fairgrounds

Motorcycle racing returns to the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds with a five-race series that runs from October to February. Promoted by AMA Champion Joe Kopp, the program has grown in popularity with an action-packed format that provides little down time between races. New this season is the addition of go-kart racing after a three-year hiatus.

Last season, Kopp ran a full schedule of motorcycle racing after a brief stint during the winter of 2015-16. The many volunteers who come out to help as corner workers, track prep crews and officials are key to providing a successful program and track. This season is no different as Kopp is looking for volunteers to help with the motorcycle program.

“The karting side of it has a group of officials that will handle that,” Kopp said. “With them added in, we’ll run their program with ours, give them some practice time (earlier in the day) and also do the motorcycle show.”

Sponsorship of hay bales, tractor equipment and racing purses will also be a big boost to this year’s program.

Two practice sessions are offered during the race day and competition takes place during the evening. Spectator grandstands are available inside the arena, with pit space located just outside the main door entrance.

The Winter Indoor Flat Track season kicks off on Oct. 28. A complete schedule can be found on spokanespeedway.com.

Anyone interested in volunteering, divisional rules or supporting the series as a sponsor can reach Kopp at jkopp43@aol.com.

Garber enjoys classic run

Inland Northwest drivers took the Yakima Speedway Fall Classic by storm last weekend as three of the four divisions featured local drivers on solid runs, including an amazing run from Mini Stock driver KC Garber.

With more than 30 drivers taking the green flag for the Mini Stock main event, Garber would have his work cut out for him to grab a victory. As the pole winner, a bonus of $700 was available to Garber if he elected to move to the 31st and last starting position on the grid and race his way back to the front and capture the checked flag.

In the race’s early going. Garber slipped past several cars and found himself running inside the top 15 just 10 laps into the race. By the event’s halfway point at lap 25, Garber had cracked the top five. He then took the lead for good en route to the victory. The win netted Garber more than $1,700 for his efforts.

Also having a strong day in the Mini Stock main event were local stars Landon Edwards, second place; Scott Murphy, fourth; Brendan Tarr, fifth; and Bryce Ruppert, 10th. Edwards and Tarr picked up wins in the weekend’s trophy dash action.

During the Fall Classic, the region’s Hobby Stock drivers come together under a common rules package known as Super Stocks. Offering longer main event laps in the classic puts a premium on handling and the ability of the drivers to keep their cars in one piece over 60 laps.

Stateline Speedway and Spokane County Raceway Hobby drivers were up to the task all weekend long.

Reesen Tarr, Mike Burghard and Treven Tarr finished second through fourth places, respectively, in one of two trophy dashes contested. Burghard and Treven Tarr also posted sixth- and seventh-place finishes, respectively, in the division’s main event.

Other locals with strong runs in the main event included the race’s runner-up, Mike Bellomy; Vance Reynolds, fourth; and Gerald Nash, 10th.

David Garber was the sole entry in the weekend’s feature event, the super late model 200-lap Fall Classic. In the past, Garber had struggled in Yakima. Last weekend, the No. 93 Concrete Cutters Chevrolet was a front-runner, with Garber contesting for a top-five finish until the late going.

“It was good to run up front and get the finish we did (seventh),” Garber said. “I haven’t had the best of luck in Yakima and to be able to come out without tearing up the car, fighting motors issues or running bad is really cool heading into the offseason.”