{"id":52991,"date":"2023-03-27T17:29:40","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T21:29:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/suprs.net\/site\/?p=52991"},"modified":"2025-06-23T17:46:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T21:46:16","slug":"suprs-rolls-into-phoenix-march-28-for-copper-world-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/suprs.net\/site\/suprs-rolls-into-phoenix-march-28-for-copper-world-classic\/","title":{"rendered":"SUPRS Rolls into Phoenix March 28 for Copper World Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

March 26, 2023 – Goshen, IN…<\/em><\/strong>The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), “West Coast Swing” is now at full song, and on March 28, 2023 it’s time for the SUPRS Copper World Classic XIX by Kern Motorsports with the JP Memorial Supermodified Reunion<\/a> at the \u201cDesert Jewel” of Phoenix International Raceway.<\/p>\n\n\n

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SUPRS Copper World Classic XIX presented by Kern Motorsports with the JP Memorial Supermodified Reunion showcases the best supermodified sim racers in the country at Phoenix International Raceway two types of supermodifieds, two 25 lap feature events, and One Copper World Classic Champion (Poster by BreezeGraphics.com<\/a>)<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

CAPTION-Two types of supermodifieds, Two 25 lap feature events, One Copper World Classic
XIX Champion when the SUPRS racers take on Phoenix International Raceway on March 28, 2023. (Poster by BreezeGraphics.com<\/a>)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Sim Race That Means a Lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The event means so much to a supermodified sim racer because it is modeled after the popular
Copper World Classic held annually at PIR from 1977-2009. With Phoenix International
Raceway being built specifically to be the home of open-wheel racing in the west, it was only
natural that the mighty supermodifieds would eventually find a home there beginning in 1984 when Ohio’s Doug Saunier won the first race, and running until 2002 when Lonnie Adamson won the last one for the supers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curt Kern\u2019s Deep Roots in Supermodifieds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Involved as an official for many years, Curt Kern of Kern Motorsports, has sponsored the SUPRS Copper World Classic since 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desert Stress for Kern<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eventually Kern also found himself working in an official capacity during the Copper World Classic. \u201cSome years I was on the ground in the pit area and a couple of years in the tower running race control for the supers,\u201d explained the Washington state native.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With speeds on the straights faster than an IndyCar, and approaching 200 mph in a chassis designed for tracks 5\/8ths of a mile and under, disaster was never too far away on the mile, and it weighed heavy on the man that called many of the racers his friends. \u201cFor 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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