Time for some Supermoto mojo

Supermoto motorcycle racing returns to the Inland Empire this weekend with the second annual KDR Powersports Spokane qualifier. Top riders will use the race in an attempt to earn a spot in the AMA Grand National event run later this year.

The race is held on the grounds of the Spokane Kart Racing Association’s five-eighths-mile road course. Supermoto bikes are similar to an off-road machine but use a racing slick in lieu of a more traditional knobbed tire.

Competitors run the paved surface then enter a dirt portion of the nearly mile-long course. Complete with jumps and other challenges, racing is closely contested, according to Dexter Farley, a partner with Randy Whitney in KDR Powersports.

“Supermoto is huge in Europe and is growing here in the United States,” Farley said. “It’s a great combination of dirt bike racing with the slick tire giving you a good handle on the pavement. Overall, two-thirds of the race lap is run on the pavement, so you really have to know what you’re doing to transition between the dirt and the asphalt.”

Riders from throughout the Northwest will headline the two-day event in amateur and professional classes.

Rory Whitney of Spokane and Ryan Pugh of Everett are two of the hottest Supermoto riders in the region and each will be on hand to test their skills on the SKRA course. Mica Kopp and his more famous family member, Joe Kopp, should add to the excitement, Farley said.

“We’re really hoping Joe will be out for this,” Farley said. “It’s an off weekend for him, so it could be real exciting for the fans.”

Prior to 2007, Supermoto had never been held in the Spokane area. Having access to SKRA’s facilities has given KDR Powersports the opportunity to bring the unique form of motorcycle racing to the area with hopes of having the sport grow and gaining a larger event in the future.

“Using the whole go-kart track gives us a great size venue for fans and competitors alike to enjoy the racing and it also allows the speeds to stay in check,” Farley said. “With speeds approaching 90 mph, it tests someone’s agility and handling ability of a motorcycle.”

If KDR builds a successful event, the partnership is hoping for greater things in the future.

“We would like to see this event grow and have support from the community,” Farley said. “It’s our hope to see Spokane on the AMA National Supermoto Series.”

For tickets and information: www.kdrpowersports.com.

Memorial resurfaces

What rain stopped just a few weeks ago should not be denied this weekend for Northwest Modified fans.

The Gary Miller Memorial has been rescheduled for Saturday night and highlights an evening of open-wheel racing at Stateline Speedway. Also appearing at the Post Falls facility will be the Inland Northwest Sprint Car Association.

Star drivers in both series will be on hand to claim the evening’s checkered flags led by Orondo, Wash., modified star Shane Mitchell and Okanogan’s 17-year-old Cole Tupling, who has two victories this season.

Tim Sawyer, Blaine Sneva, Frank Volz Jr. and a strong 22-car field will be out to capture the ninth annual Miller Memorial and stop Mitchell’s dominance of modified events held across the Northwest.

Mitchell has wins in Yakima and Wenatchee as part of the Northwest Modified/ Wenatchee Valley Modified Series challenge.

Tupling heads into this weekend’s event looking to grab the INSCA championship just one year after being named the series Rookie of the Year.

Montana 200 comes next

Fans of late model stock car racing can head to Kalispell, Mont., this weekend for the Montana 200, which highlights one of two huge paydays for short-track teams when coupled with the Aug. 2 Stateline Speedway Idaho 200.

Leading the charge to Montana will be local drivers Kevin Richards, Dave Garber and Shelby Thompson. Gary Lewis, defending champion of both 200s, will be out to make it two straight years of Inland Northwest victories.

More than 30 race teams will vie for 24 starting positions. Teams are chasing $40,000 in cash and prizes with $12,000 being paid to the winner.

Information: www.montana racewaypark.com.