Keeping Pace: Youngster Brandon Garber goes after 2 titles on flat track

For Spokane Valley youngster Brandon Garber, Spokane Speedway’s two-day championship will be a busy affair as the 10-year-old will be chasing two titles at the motorcycle flat track.

The Adams Elementary student has the opportunity to lock up the 65cc and 150cc divisions with solid performances in each. Garber is the 2013 50cc Spokane Speedway champion and last season earned a top-three points finish in the 65cc division.

Racing two different types of motorcycles on the same day does present challenges including a bike that is taller than the fifth-grader, but Garber has tackled each hurdle with success.

“It was pretty difficult in the beginning,” he said. “The start of races is where I really have to work hard, especially on the four-stroke since the beginning of the season. I couldn’t touch the ground (with my feet) but once I got going, it’s all good.”

Having gone from the 50cc class to the 65cc bike last year, the plan was for Garber to continue racing his KTM-powered bike in that division this season. But an opportunity to race the Honda CRF 150cc sponsored by Liberty Lake’s Allsport was too good to pass up. Over the season, Garber has been strong on the larger bike, including multiple podium finishes.

To achieve the success he’s had this year also meant relaxing while concentrating on acceleration and handling.

“I quickly had to learn the throttle control (of the 150cc) because of lots of practice back and forth on each bike (which responds differently), but I love testing my limits,” he said. “My dad (Dan) helps me a lot when it comes to how to handle the different feel in each bike and telling me to find that edge but not to go over it.”

When Garber does lock down that edge, he’s enjoying success including the many priceless moments.

“Winning on SWX night (live TV) and being interviewed (was one of the highlights of my season),” he said.

Flat-track racing is the draw for Garber over the more well-known Supercross or Motocross-type events that are also run on the grounds of Spokane County ORV Park near Spokane Speedway.

The scramble on flat racing surfaces are more appealing to Garber as he continues to learn on two wheels, but he has already decided against the jumps and spills of Supercross to focus on the events he is having success in currently. With plans to continue racing in the 150cc class going forward, Garber has plenty of goals to aim as he builds a motorcycle racing career.

“(I’m) probably not (going to race) Motocross but would love to do more scrambles and, of course, keep going in flat-track racing,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re entering in more West Coast races (flat track or scrambles) and possibly a (race) car.”

The Garber name is known across the Northwest as a powerhouse auto racing family. From patriarch Bruce (Brandon’s grandfather) to Uncle David, brother Colton and many others, the chance to forge a new road in racing has a special meaning for the son of Dan and Annette Garber.

“It’s great to be the first in the family to go down a different path,” Garber said. “I love it and my mom and dad support me (in the decision to focus on motorcycle racing). At some point, I will try it (auto racing) again, but my heart is with dirt bike riding.  My heart tells me I was born to race dirt bikes.”

Finales coming

While Stateline Speedway and Spokane County Raceway are idle this weekend, both are ramping up for their final events of the season Sept. 26.

SCR’s half-mile oval will hold its championship race for the Late Model division.

Also in action will be the Fever 4 and Road Runner divisions. Drag racing will wrap up with a two-day program starting Friday with Street Legal and High School action followed up on Saturday with the IHRA’s Ironman Classic.

Stateline Speedway hosts its final Drifting event of the season followed by a test-and-tune format for those who compete in the quarter-mile’s various divisions.