Keeping Pace: One Garber family member chose different path
Northwest race fans know when they see a Garber competing on the racetrack success is sure to follow. From family patriarch Bruce Garber, an icon of the Spokane Fairgrounds track who still competes on occasion, to his sons David and Dan and grandson Colton who are among the top late-model drivers in the region, it’s in the blood as they say.
Toss in KC Garber, an up and coming talent at Stateline Speedway and you have a linage that will continue for years.
Pavement racing is the norm for many in the family but one member has chosen a different path. Dan and Annette Garber’s younger son, Brandon, is taking the world of flattrack motorcycle racing by storm. Already crowned a champion at Spokane Speedway in the 50cc division, this season the nine-year-old is aiming for more success on two wheels.
Garber did run in the inaugural Stateline Speedway Bandolero class last year, but split time between four wheels and his motorcycle. When the offseason came the Adams Elementary student had a decision to make.
“I love motorcycles,” he said. “When I had to make a choice I didn’t hesitate (to commit to racing flattrack).”
Spokane Speedway is the dream of Mica’s Joe Kopp, an AMA Champion flattrack rider who is giving back to the sport with the creation of the ORV Park facility. One goal Kopp had was to attract a new crop of riders beginning with youths like Garber.
“It’s great to see the large number of young riders that are coming out,” Kopp said. “One of our main goals is to grow the sport in our area and it seems to be working. Our biggest classes are the 50cc and 65cc kids divisions. They (youth riders) range in age from 4 to 10 years old so that is great to see.”
Kopp is one of two mentors Garber goes to for advice.
“Joe is a great teacher,” he said. “My dad also helps me understand where I should enter and exit (portions of the track). He’ll also talk to me about what I should have done different if I mess up out there.”
With a championship under his belt Garber has moved from the automatic drive of his 50cc bike to a 2014 KTM 65cc. The rise in power also presents a new learning curve, according to the third-grader.
“Right now I’m learning how to shift with the clutch on my new bike. It takes lots of practice and hard work. (To be successful in the new class) I’ll have to have good balance and throttle control.”
Long-range goals include chasing Spokane Speedway championships with dreams of competing on bigger stages, Garber explained.
“I want to be in (Travis Pastrana’s) Nitro Circus someday and I’d love to race professionally on flattracks or in motocross.”