Interstate Supers Are Back On Track
Mix one part Northwest Late Models with one part Hamms All-Star Late Models, stir in some new tires and ‘90s technology and you have the recipe for the newest racing series in the region.
The Interstate Superstock Series, which mixes parts of the defunct three-year old Northwest Late Models and the long-running Western Washington-based All-Stars, runs its second race of the season, and first of six events at Stateline Speedway, Saturday night.
Time trials begin at 6. The program also features Hobby Cars, Streetstocks, Compact Streets and a fireworks display.
“What we’ve done is put together a series that involves former Northwest Late Models, All-Stars and drivers from other tracks,” said Stateline promoter Joe Doellefeld.
Tire rules are about the only thing that separates cars from running in either the Interstate or the Spanaway Speedway-based All-Star series. “We have guys that run both,” Doellefeld said.
Additional technology makes its debut in the series. “We allow drivers to use radios, which makes the sport much safer,” Doellefeld said.
The series features cars from Washington, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Spokane and Coeur d’Alene drivers competing include Dave Garber, Bill Scott, Rick Kellogg, Chad Broom and L.T. Jones.
Current points leader and season-opening victor Kevin Burck of Ephrata is the obvious early favorite in the “River City Beverage 75,” primarily because of his success in the series opener April 20th. Burck set a track record and also won the 75-lap feature on his home track, State Central Speedway.
SRP high school drags start
Spokane Raceway Park also makes the move to night racing this weekend, beginning with Friday’s first race in the Mountain Dew High School Drag Racing Series.
Time trials begin at 5:30.
The series, which features school-vs.-school competition from across the region, expands this season from five to seven races.
The track hosts both-bracket drag racing on the quarter-mile and the Fever Four Spring Challenge on the half-mile stock car track Saturday. Both tracks open gates at 4 p.m.
Hydro opener in Phoenix
The 1996 Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association season opener takes place this weekend in Phoenix, Ariz., when the boats assemble to run in the second annual Gila River Casino Cup.
Spokane’s Appian Geronimo hydro will not be among the fleet that runs the first race of a schedule that could include as many at 12.
Team Spokane driver Tom Hindley reports that the U-19 will do testing next Thursday and Friday in the Tri-Cities in preparation for a hoped-for debut in the Gold Cup in Detroit on June 2nd.
“We’ve put the boat on a diet and it’s lost about 400 pounds,” Hindley said in reference to the many modifications that have been done.
Pit stops
Short track motorcycle racing will debut Sunday at the Spokane County ORV Park. Info: Jim Allen Jr. at 467-0617. … Northport International Raceway will run its second points race Sunday, with time trials starting at 1 p.m. … A dozen local drag racers will be heading to Mission, B.C., this weekend for the second NHRA Division Six series race. Buff Kobs of Coeur d’Alene won the Sportsman Bike title in the opener at Boise and Jeff Mann was runner-up in Pro Gas in his Miller Motorsports roadster. … Organizers of a Compact Truck class at Stateline Speedway will hold a meeting on Friday, May 3rd at Sweet Old Bob’s Restaurant (formerly the Highland House) at 7 p.m. Contact Bob Rasmussen at 509-487-2764 for further information.
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