Mature motocross racers get their time to shine
If there were ever any notion that the sport of Motocross is only for the young, that will be dispelled this weekend at the Extreme Motorcross track in Airway Heights.
That’s where the Washington Oldtimers Motocross Club is staging its annual Memorial Day race Saturday and Sunday.
This is round six of the International Oldtimers Races.
The Oldtimers club is geared for racers 40 and older, with classes for different levels within each age group.
“If you’re an old motorcycle racer who’s tired of racing the younger guys and getting slaughtered, then this race is for you,” said Washington Oldtimer’s Motocross Association president Kyle Montgomery.
The weekend, however, is not limited to the AARP crowd.
“We would like to welcome any racers younger than that as well, as we offer a 30-plus, support, and mini classes,” Montgomery added.
Racing will consist of two to three motos (timed per class and not just four laps) Saturday and two motos Sunday for most classes.
Info: www.oldtimermx.com or Kyle Montgomery (425) 831-6029.
Multiple winners expected
There will be at least two winners during Saturday’s Inland Northwest Super Stock Association (INSSA) race at Stateline Speedway.
First, at the end of the Physical Therapy Associates 100, there will be a winner crowned in INSSA’s third race of 2006.
In addition, the night’s activities will draw awareness and benefit Morning Star Boys Ranch. Physical Therapy Associates, operated by INSSA driver and former Spokane Chiefs hockey player Jeff Fenton, will use the track’s hospitality area to host an event for Morning Star.
The evening also has a fitting military presence.
In honor of the Memorial Day weekend, the Idaho Army National Guard will distribute American flags to the first 500 kids younger than 12.
SPC Jonathon Pemp, a Purple Heart recipient from Charlie Company 116th Engineer Battalion in Post Falls, will be the honorary flagman.
Even though it’s early, there’s a points race shaping up. Dan Garber (293 points), winner of the last INSSA race, holds the lead over brother Dave (276).
Mike Behar, victorious in the season opener, is third at 269, with Andy Brown a point back in fourth place.
Qualifying begins at 6 p.m. with racing at 7:30. The visiting Outlaw Compacts and Wednesday Night Fever regulars, the Fever 4’s, get prime-time exposure.
Catch NASCAR on radio
Just a reminder to NASCAR Nextel Cup fans who might decide to head to the great outdoors this weekend and might not want to miss Sunday’s Coca Cola 600 from Charlotte: You don’t have to be glued to the television and can follow the races on KXLX AM-700, which is airing live coverage on the Motor Racing Network
KXLX offered lap-by-lap coverage for the first time in the Spokane market in 2005.
The plan is similar this year, except the broadcasts are subject to change based on conflicts with other sports programming the station is contracted to carry, according to program director Bud Namek
Sunday’s broadcast begins at 1:30 p.m.
Pit stops
Republic’s Eagle Track gets back to racing with the running on its Memorial Race of Champions Saturday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m. Info: 509-775-3508.
•The Northwest Modifieds will be on the half-mile Saturday at Spokane Raceway Park. Blaine Sneva will put his record of two straight main event wins on the line. Also scheduled on the stock car side is the season’s third race for the Northwest Late Model Superstocks. Motorcycles from the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association will run their annual Memorial Day Weekend race Saturday and Sunday. Bracket drag racing and import cars will take over the drag strip Saturday night. Gates open at 3 p.m. with racing at 7.
•The NASCAR Northwest Series visits Yakima Speedway Saturday night for its third race of the season. Local racers Matt Hall and Mike Merry are expected to have their Affordable Graphics Chevys trying for a spot in the field.
•The Stateline Outboard Racing Association will open its season in a traditional manner by staging a race at Elk River, Idaho.
Streaks and stats
Colton Garber won his second Fever Four main event in the past three weeks during last week’s edition of Wednesday Night Fever at Stateline Speedway. Keith Williams ended the two-race win streak of Will Witlow in Bump-to-Pass. … Richard Cox won his second Northwest Early Stock man event in as many tries last Saturday at Stateline and will test that streak when the series travels Saturday to Hermiston, Ore.