Avondale, AZ – March 1, 2015…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series will take up residence at Phoenix International Raceway March 3, 2015 for the SUPRS Copper World Classic X.
This annual event features wing supermodified, non-wing supermodified, and pavement modified sim racing on the one mile paved oval in Arizona. With over 150 laps of online racing, this event is modeled after the popular Copper World Classic 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 was the very first winner and Lonnie Adamson was the last supermodified winner of the Copper World Classic.
Curt Kern of Kern Motorsports, the sponsor of the SUPRS Copper World Classic was involved as an official for the supermodifieds for several years. “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.
“It was a pretty high-speed joint for us and I was always fearful of a “Rex Beach” type of accident. I went from loving the cars on the mile to be believing as an official, that it was too big of a track, but I doubt you’d convince very many drivers of that.”
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 Bobby and John both good friends,” he said. “I only wish I could get set up and come back and get in everyone’s way again,” joked Kern. “The event at the time was the supermodified communities version of the Indy 500 and to have SUPRS continue to run that event is pretty cool. Good luck to all and thank you for allowing me to be a part of the show.”
The 2014 edition of the SUPRS Copper World Classic was one of the most exciting ever. Ray Sand, Jr. claimed his second Copper World Classic winged supermodified victory and also won the modified part of the event. The only person stopping him from a full sweep of the SUPRS Copper World Classic was Steve Callahan taking the victory in the 25 lap non-wing supermodified feature.
Current point leader “Mighty” Myles Maxon will be looking for his first SUPRS Copper World Classic win. He’s been close several times in the past, including last year where he finished second to Sand, Jr. after a race long battle of epic proportions.
Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike can learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.
SUPRS-“Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons”
SUPRS Copper World Classic-Winged-Phoenix International Raceway
- 2005 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: JP Curry
- 2006 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: John Davidson
- 2007 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Chuck Russell
- 2008 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Kris Heveron
- 2009 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Bobby Gangwer
- 2010 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Chad Phelps
- 2011 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Jeff Weber
- 2012 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
- 2013 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: John Davidson
- 2014 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
SUPRS Copper World Classic-Non-Winged-Phoenix International Raceway
- 2014 SUPRS Copper World Classic Champion: Steve Callahan
