Kopp seeks 3rd straight Lima title
The 2005 AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship series has been a bit disappointing for Mica’s Joe Kopp.
The next stop on the schedule – the half-mile at Lima, Ohio – ought to bring a smile to Kopp’s face. Kopp, seeking his first victory of the season, is the two-time defending champion at Lima.
Lima’s crushed limestone oval is one of Kopp’s favorites. Kopp scored his first Lima win in a dominant fashion in 2003, crossing the finish line 4 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Last year, he broke the hearts of Ohio fans by edging local favorite George Roeder II.
Despite early struggles, Kopp still remains in the hunt to recapture the points title he last won in 2001. Because of up-and-down performances of other riders, Kopp trails points leader Chris Carr by 28.
Kopp wants to focus on racing rather than points.
“I think I get caught up worrying about the points too much sometimes and forget to just get out there and race,” he said. “I’m coming off a bad weekend in Syracuse, but I’m looking forward to racing on the cushion at Lima. I did well recently at Dayton, a similar track. Another win at Lima would definitely give me a big boost.”
SIFRG takes nostalgic trip
The invitation is out for nostalgia buffs to revisit the past on Sunday.
That’s when the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds Race Group presents a car show and the first official unveiling of a photo wall of old track pictures.
The event takes place at the Last Lap Bar and Grill at 13525 E. Sprague, starting at 10 a.m. and running all day.
The SIFRG is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of racing at the former track. The group is spearheading an effort to build a monument at the former race track that launched the careers of local racers such as Tom Sneva and Chad Little.
Organizer Todd Jensen, the man behind establishing the monument, said the event is open to anyone.
The Last Lap has dedicated a portion of its facility to a display of old Fairgrounds photos. Jensen has collected dozens that will jog the memories of many race fans.
Info: Jensen, 218-5559.
Pit stops
The second event in Extreme Motorcross’s Super Cross Series takes place Saturday at the Airway Heights facility. Info: 218-2014 or www.extmotorsports.com.
•Republic’s Eagle Track will stage its Midseason Championships for all of its stock car classes starting at noon Saturday.
•The Northwest Late Model Superstocks will visit Spokane Raceway Park’s oval track, while the Pro Gas Association hits the drag strip on Saturday. Gates open on both tracks at 3 p.m.
•Stateline Speedway will host the fourth race for the Inland Northwest Superstocks on Saturday. Kevin Richards has won the last two races in the series. Also on the schedule at Stateline are the Early Stocks and Hobby Cars. Time trials are at 6 p.m., racing at 7.
•Sunset Speedway at the Motorsports Complex in Airway Heights has its only Friday evening race of the season this week. It’s the fifth club race for the speedway Karts and begins with qualifying at 6 p.m. Info: Jason, 994-4193 or Todd, 993-9010.
•The Spokane Kart Racing Association runs points race No. 4 at The Complex on Saturday. Info: Bob, 924-6755 (days); 928-0915 (evenings).
Streaks and stats
Rich Hatton has strung together four straight main event wins in the Road Runner class at Stateline Speedway. Darryl Carillo saw his Bump-to-Pass string end at two last week by Joel Schrader, who won his first main event. Veteran Billy Husk also won his first race this season in Fever 4 Hobbies. … The weather won again last Saturday night as the Northwest Modifieds suffered through its fourth rainout in six races. Series president Leroy Keele said there is talk that one of the races may be made up as part of a future Stateline Speedway Wednesday Night Fever show, but that hasn’t been confirmed.