Rain takes an early lead
Weather was again the winner as the start of the area racing season was stalled by spring squalls.
So race tracks try it again this weekend, on different days, hoping maybe that’s the key to letting racers see what their off-season tinkering has accomplished.
Stateline Speedway will try its luck with a Saturday evening program featuring Winged Sprints, Early Stocks, plus Fever 4 Hobbies and Hobby Cars. Time trials begin at 6. Fans are encouraged to bring a four-pack of toilet paper that will be donated to the food bank. Everyone who does so will be rewarded with a $2 discount on tickets.
Spokane Raceway Park has Sportsman Superstocks headlining the stock car program and International Imports on the drag side. Gates open at 10:30.
Continuing with our 2005 season previews, this week we look ahead on the calendar at a variety of events from area traveling series.
Northwest Modifieds
The region’s oldest touring series, the Northwest Modifieds, will be the first group out on the track this season when they open an announced schedule of 16 races on April 16 at Stateline Speedway. Six of the races will be run at Stateline with the group’s big event, the two-day Gary Miller Memorial to benefit the Shriners Hospital, set for Aug. 26-27.
Another two or three races are set for the half-mile at Spokane Raceway Park.
The series returns to familiar Montana venues at Kalispell and Ronan, as well as at Boise’s Chaparral Speedway for the second edition of a big western states modified invitational race July 29-30.
Greg Ochs of Colville is the two-time defending series champion.
Info: Leroy Keele, 325-9745.
Inland NW Superstocks
Defending champion Dan Garber will have new power under his hood as he tries to make it two titles in a row. Garber will have to contend with both Kevin Richards and brother Dave Garber, both sporting new cars.
The field will be shy one notable as John Gamble, the runner-up in points and second in the Idaho 200 the last two years as well, has reportedly sold his car.
Year 2 of the Inland Northwest Superstock Association will feature an 11-race schedule, 10 of which will be run at Stateline Speedway. The lone event not at Stateline will be run at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval on May 14.
The schedule kicks off April 30 at Stateline and concludes Sept. 17. The series will travel to Wenatchee on May 14. Once again, the INSSA will be a part of the Idaho 200, scheduled for Aug. 7. The series will team with drivers from the Late Model Challenge for the event. Last year nearly 50 cars competed for 24 spots in the starting grid.
Info: inlandnorthwestsupers@yahoo.com
Northwest Late Model 4s
The Northwest Late Model 4s will embark on their most ambitions season when the series featuring 4-cylinder race cars presents a 22-race schedule.
The opening race, which was rained out last Sunday at Stateline Speedway has been rescheduled for April 23. That will be one of eight races in 2005 at Stateline, which also plays host to the season finale Sept. 24.
Travel is a big part of the schedule and that includes racing at two Boise-area tracks: Meridian for another eight races and nearby Eagle’s Chaparral Speedway for the Pro 4 Shootout. South Sound Speedway near Olympia hosts three races, while two more races are set for Hermiston, Ore.
The Northwest Late Model 4s is a 4-cylinder powered touring race-car group, which races a 4-cylinder “late model” bodied car. Engines used range from the 2.3 liter Ford, to the Nissan and Toyota 2.4’s. The cars feature aftermarket bodies including Monte Carlo, Taurus, Intrepid, Grand Prix, Firebird, Mustang and Thunderbird.
Info: Bob Winker (208) 743-5824 or www.northwestlatemodel4s.com
Zimmer zooms
Andrew Zimmer of the Spokane Valley collected wins in two classes this past weekend at the Tri Cities Go Kart Track. In the Yamaha SuperSportsman division, he bested the 12-kart field and won the main event by a mere .008 seconds. Switching to the 80cc Shifter Class, Zimmer won the main event by 2.3 seconds.
Zimmer, a 14 year-old student at Horizon Middle School, is also leading current competitors in the Red Bull Drivers Search at Fastkart Indoor Speedway. Zimmer has set the fast time, by .5 seconds, with a time of 23.01.
The top four fastest times of the month, for 12-17-year-olds, will then travel to Sonoma, Calif., in August to compete for scholarships to the Skip Barber School of Racing.
Cruisers will cater to racers
Larry and Shari Herberholz, have campaigned a car in the Northwest Late Model 4s series for many years. Now the Liberty Lake residents have a new way to spend whatever little spare time they already don’t have.
They have purchased Cruisers Grill and Bar in Stateline, Idaho. The unique nightspot with large roll-up doors on each end allowed motorcyclists to ride into the bar, but will now cater to race-car drivers and crews.
Cruisers is located just west of Stateline Speedway on Seltice Way and has grand opening planned for April 22. Info: 217-1937
Pit stops
National Hot Rod Association Northwest Division Director Mike Rice will be in Spokane on Saturday to conduct NHRA Chassis Certifications. The activity is designed for cars that run 9.99 or quicker and will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the main parking lot at Spokane Community College. Info: 253-826-8666 or MRice@nhra.com. … Joe Kopp finished third in an AMA Hot Shoe race last weekend in Houston.