Dairyland Classic ST To Feature Twist

| April 17, 2003
The opening round of the 2003 K&N Filters National Dirt Track Series, sanctioned by Formula USA, will feature a special four-lap sprint race that will re-introduce a long-lost concept in short track racing – the inverted (or staggered) start.

“The Jim Sumner Memorial Dash For Cash will feature the fastest qualifier on each different brand of motorcycle lined up in an inverted start – with the fastest at the rear and the slowest at the front – in a four-lap race in honor of my brother Jim, who died at the Springfield Mile last year,” said Bert Sumner, promoter of the Dairyland Classic. “Jim and I grew up watching inverted starts every week at Santa Fe Speedway, and we were both saddened when the AMA stopped using it in the 1980s – right before we turned pro ourselves. I didn’t want to turn the entire event into a memorial for Jim – he wouldn’t want that. But this Dash for Cash will look a lot like the old pro short track heat races – inverted start, and only four laps to get to the front – and I know Jim would be thrilled.”

Donations are being accepted to provide the purse for the Dash For Cash, and will be accepted up until the day of the event. Donors will be listed in all press releases concerning the Dash for Cash, have their donations listed on the event web site (www.DairylandClassic.com) and in the souvenir program (if submitted prior to publication), and mentioned at the event on June 7.

“I was worried that perhaps the riders would hate the idea, but then I talked to Joe Kopp – the 2000 AMA GNC Champion and defending Dairyland Classic winner – and he said it was a great idea,” Sumner said.

The Dairyland Classic will take place Saturday, June 7, at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Potential donors are encouraged to contact Bert Sumner at 262-334-0543 or bert@dairylandclassic.com.

By Scott Rousseau