February 12, 2017 – Goshen, IN…One of the most anticipated races of the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), 42 race schedule takes place on Wednesday with the running of the SUPRS Copper World Classic XIII presented by Kern Motorsports at Phoenix International Raceway.
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This annual event that signals the start of the SUPRS 2017 Winter Western Swing, features wing supermodified, non-wing supermodified sim racing on the one-mile paved oval in Arizona. Staying true to SUPRS Mission Statement, the sanction models this event after the popular Copper World Classic that was held annually at PIR from 1977-2009.
The supermodifieds were a part of the Copper World Classic from 1984 to 2002 with one year off in 1991. Davey Hamilton has the most Copper World Classic wins with five and Troy Regier has the record for most wins in a row at three. Doug Saunier won the very first race and Lonnie Adamson won the last Copper World Classic supermodified race.
Curt Kern Long-Time SUPRS Supporter
Involved as an official for many years, Curt Kern of Kern Motorsports, has sponsored the SUPRS Copper World Classic since 2007.
In 1987, Kern and Ed Williams started the Northwest Supermodified Racing Association, (NSRA), after the United States Auto Club, (USAC), unexpectedly pulled out of sanctioning regional racing.
In 1992, Curt Kern formed the Western States Supermodified Tour, separating the supermodifieds from sprint cars, which continued to race under the Northwest Supermodified/Sprintcar Racing Association.
Kern, got his start in racing as a flagman, and was an integral member of the supermodified officiating staff at the Copper World Classic. “Some years I was on the ground in the pit area and a couple of years in the tower running race control for the supers,” explained the Washington state native.
“For me, then, it was a pretty stressful position, but I looked forward to the five days in Phoenix every year. I also dreaded it at the same time,” he said.
While Kern’s involvement with the real supermodified division wound down to an end in the late 1990’s, he continues to support the online version. “I’m honored to still be involved with SUPRS and their version of the Copper World Classic and consider, (SUPRS co-founders), Bobby, (Gangwer), and John, (Davidson), both good friends,” he said.
Will the “Rocket” Finally Get His First?
As the current point leader with nine wins so far this season, “Rocket” Rob Warren would love nothing more than to make his tenth victory his first SUPRS Copper World Classic win.
Although he’s won at Phoenix International Speedway in a modified, Warren has no illusions that pulling down his first supermodified sim racing win in the Valley of the Sun will be any easier this year. “The level of competition is rising,” said Warren. “It has always been tough to get a win in this league, but everybody is picking up the pace.”
Not that he’s afraid of the competition though. As much as he wants to win, he’s just as enthused by the challenge. “Although it makes it more difficult to get a win, it also makes it more rewarding,” Warren admitted.
Minor Tweaks Benefit Fans
For the first time in SUPRS history, the NASCAR Heat sim racing platform used at the Copper World Classic. As a result of a successful outing last year using the SUPRS NW (non-wing) V1.0 mod for rFactor, SUPRS officials decided to make the wing supermodified race rFactor as well.
Because both 25 lap features are rFactor based, fans can catch the action via SUPRS LIVE! as drivers challenge the “Desert Mile” in their wing and non-wing supermodifieds. Fans, friends, and family members can view live timing, scoring and track telemetry and know in an instant how their favorite SUPRS racer is doing by visiting www.SUPRS.net/site/live.
Feature finish points for the wing and non-wing supermodified races will decide the overall SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion.
Both divisions of supermodifieds will time trial, so the schedule for the night is somewhat different from normal. Systems Checks begin at 7:00pm. Official Practice starts at 7:30pm, then Time Trials will follow at 8:15pm and 9:00pm is when the first race will roll out.
Learn more about supermodified racing and online supermodified sim racing by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.
SUPRS Copper World Classic-Wing Winners/Champions-Phoenix International Raceway
- 2005 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: JP Curry-PA
- 2006 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: John Davidson-CA
- 2007 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Chuck Russell-MO
- 2008 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Kris Heveron-FL
- 2009 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Bobby Gangwer-IN
- 2010 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Chad Phelps-NY
- 2011 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Jeff Weber-IN
- 2012 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.-NY
- 2013 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: John Davidson-CA
- 2014 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.-NY
- 2015 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Steve Callahan-OH
- 2016 SUPRS Copper World Classic Winner: Bobby Gangwer-IN
SUPRS Copper World Classic-Non-Winged Winners – Phoenix International Raceway
- 2014 SUPRS Copper World Classic Winner: Steve Callahan-OH
- 2015 SUPRS Copper World Classic Winner: Myles Maxon-NY
- 2016 SUPRS Copper World Classic Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.-NY
SUPRS Copper World Classic Wing/Non-Wing Combined Champions
- 2016 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
(Note: Before 2016, the winner of the wing supermodified race was the SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion)
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