Triber Busy Steering New Course
At age 63, many men are looking forward to kicking back and taking it easy as retirement is either at hand or just on the horizon.
One exception appears to be Darrell Triber, who, as he approaches his 64th birthday, has embarked on yet another career endeavor.
Triber, a longtime area bike shop owner, motorcycle racer, event and track promoter, has officially taken over as the new supervisor of the Spokane County Off-Road Vehicle Park in Airway Heights.
“(Wife) Helen is just about ready to divorce me,” Triber joked as he talked about his unexpected long hours and his plans to make the decade-old facility selfsupporting and an asset to the community. “I’m supposed to be here from Monday thru Friday, but lately it’s been more like Monday thru Monday.”
Triber brings years of facility management, maintenance and promotional expertise to the job. He operated Triber’s Stateline Speedway off-and-on from 1972 through 1993. His experience will come in handy at the off-road park located across the fenceline from Spokane Raceway Park on Spokane’s West Plains.
“My first job was to get the sprinkler system working properly,” said Triber, who took over May 3. “I’ve gotten the number of leaks down from five to two.”
With the water getting back on line, Triber talks of his other projects, such as improving the surface of the motocross track and working with promoters who can bring in events that will generate some positive cash flow.
The various tracks - like the motocross and sand drag venues - all need some work to reach a point where they’ll be attractive to promoters.
“I’ve talked to a guy who would like to stage a tractor pull here later this summer,” Triber said. He’s also had inquiries from a major motocross event promoter.
First on the list, Triber said, is the motocross track. “Anyone who would like to bring their grass clippings out here and donate them to me, I’d appreciate that,” Triber said. Mixing the clippings with the clay on the track improves the surface by keeping it from getting dried out and hardening, Triber said.
Triber also has some projects on the drawing board. They include development of a snowmobile grass drag strip and lighting the parking lot.”We’d like to stick in a TT track too on the ovals,” Triber said. “The overall goal is to finish the park the way it was designed in the beginning.”
Anyone wishing to discuss use of the park can contact Triber by calling 244-9244.
Cherishing their win
The Spokane-based NASCAR Northwest Tour team of Ron and Kathy Hall has a week to revel in its first visit to victory lane in the 11-year history of the series. The Tour takes this weekend off before resuming action next Saturday in Tri Cities and the following week on the Portland International Raceway road course.
Monte English of Port Townsend drove Hall’s Lubrication Station/Ulrick’s Transmission Chevy to victory last Saturday at Evergreen Speedway. Ron Eaton was second and rookie phenom Gary Smith third. Spokane’s Rick Schultz finished 13th.
“This one was a long time coming, and we’re really going to enjoy it,” said Kathy Hall.
Modifieds highlights Stateline
The return of the Northwest Modifieds highlights racing this weekend at Stateline Speedway. The open wheelers team up with the Mini-Indy cars for Saturday night’s show that begins at 6 p.m. Stateline Street Stocks and Compacts also are on the bill.
The modifieds appear to have another wide-open title battle in the making as three events have produced three different winners. Last weekend in Montana, Colville’s Greg Ochs recorded the win on Saturday in Kalispell while Sunday at Ronan, Ed Hudson of Spokane set fast time, won the dash and heat, along with the main event.
Friday at Stateline, the CROW Open-Wheelers return with Sherri Howard on top in points after her first win last Saturday. Hobby Cars, Sportsman and Claimer Streets complete the program. Time trials begin at 6:30 p.m.
Pit stops
Spokane Raceway Park has drag racing and stock cars Saturday night. One ticket sees both, with drag time trials at 4:30 and oval qualifying at 5:30… . Republic’s Eagle Trac shifts from its normal Saturday schedule to present its annual Prospector’s Day Sprint Car Races on Sunday at 1 p.m… . Also on the dirt circuit, Northport International Raceway has the Advanced VV, Subaru/ Disposal Systems “Challenge 150” on Sunday at 1… . Tuscor Speedway at Trout Creek, Mont., presents its first Race Against Drugs stock car race Saturday at 1 p.m.
Paul Delaney’s motor sports notebook appears every Thursday in The Spokesman-Review. For story ideas contact Paul by phone or fax at 928-6998.