NW Motorsports: Northwest Tour wants a second chance

Northwest Tour administrator Ron Bennett would like fans to think quality and not necessarily quantity Saturday night when the NWT returns to Stateline Speedway.

He hopes to deliver both for a Friday-Saturday late model event that opens tonight with a race for the Inland Northwest Superstocks, which begins with time trials at 6 p.m.

Bennett understands that in its first visit to Stateline in June, the series may have underdelivered. Seeing just seven Tour regulars, plus three local drivers, may have been a letdown to the 4,000 fans who flocked to the speedway to see the return for the first time in 20 years.

“We are strengthening,” said Bennett who took up the torch for the elite racing division that had been cast adrift when NASCAR dropped sanctioning following the 2006 season for a series it started in 1985.

To the NWT’s credit, the June 23 date was a makeup for the original rained out event from June 9.

“The second date was not the best,” Bennett said.

But with limited open dates, Bennett, whose real job is manager of Yakima Speedway, rolled the dice.

Scheduling conflicts played a part in the limited car count as drivers had other activities planned on what had been an open date. Even Bennett’s son Travis, the winner of the last two races, didn’t make it because of a wedding.

Bennett insists that the NWT still features the best the Northwest has to offer when it comes to late model racing.

While the NWT has been plagued by car count, Bennett insists the level of competition will give fans a better show.

“Thirteen cars are committed,” Bennett said. There are seven others, “where it’s “wait and see,” he said. “If I can get 14 to 16 cars to take the green flag, I’ll consider it a success.”

Dave and Dan Garber, Kevin Richards, Kevin Molland and Tony Berry are all local drivers expected to join the likes of point leaders B.J. Tidrick (784 points), Kelly Tanner (783) and Jay Sauls (772).

Providing the NWT can survive 2007, Bennett predicts 2008 will be different. New rules will make the NWT open to more cars. Straight-rail cars such as those in the Late Model Challenge will be allowed. So will cars with steel heads and the more affordable crate motors

Bikers need to step up

If motorcycle racers in the area want to continue to race out at Sunset Speedway, they had better show it.

Promoters of the summer series at the Spokane Motorsports Complex will pull the plug on the season that is halfway through the six-race schedule.

Poor rider count, despite offering free admission for 50cc and 60cc bikes, plus steady complaints have promoters ready to make Saturday’s event the last of the series.

Info: Jerry, 217-1425; Mark, 990-4854; or Dave, 844-1035.

Karters make final preparations

With the International Karting Federation (IKF) Region Seven Gold Cup one week away, local racers will use Sunday’s race to do some fine-tuning and practice.

The Sunday race at the Spokane Motorsports Complex is the eighth points race of the season.

Next week, several hundred kart racers from across the Pacific Northwest will descend on the track to decide regional honors.

Info: Bob or Diane Thompson, 924-6755, or www.spokanekarting.org.

Pit stops

The Columbia Boat Racing Club and American Outboard Federation will hold their two-day boat race at the Ione (Wash.) City Park this weekend. Racing will begin at 11 a.m. both days and will feature multiple classes of outboard hydroplanes and the loud Nostalgic Inboard drag boats. Admission is free. Info: roboschnell1@comcast.net.

“Last Saturday’s AMA Ford Quality Racing Series event at Peoria, Ill., was rained out, leaving Joe Kopp still in fifth place in singles points, 26 back of leader Jake Johnson with a race at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Mich., on Saturday.

Streaks ‘n’ stats

Randy Ray won last Saturday in the Spokane Pro Gas Association race at Spokane Raceway Park. Scott Killebrew was runner-up. Ray and Killebrew trail leader Randy Reynolds with races remaining on Sept. 8 and 22. … Gary Lewis of Bothell, Wash., got his fourth win in eight starts in an ARCA/Late Model Challenge Series race last Saturday at Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon, British Columbia, besting the field of 26 cars.