At the Joe Kopp Challenge, Kopp marked
his return by taking home the trophy in
both the 600 and 750cc Expert main
events in Spokane, Washington.
Joe Kopp Challenge
Kopp's '
triumphant
return!
By Clay Li ght
Photos by Ted Aleson
SPOKANE, WA,SEPT. 12
a t io n a l numb er 43 Joe Ko p p
m ark ed hi s return h om e to th e
No rt hwest w it h a two-class d ecima tion during AMA P~o-Am half mil e
action at th e Spokane Play Fai r Ra ce
Track in d owntown Spokane.
Kop p 's se n timental jou rney - one
w hic h b rou ght t h e lo ng time M ica ,
Was hing to n , r id e r back home after
spending mu ch of the year in Missou ri ended w ith his impressive wins in the
600cc and 750cc Expert main eve n ts. It
was Kop p 's debut at the facility, after he
missed all of the previous 11 events here
in the past th ree years, due to his GNC
commitments.
In fron t of a crowd of 2000 spectators,
Kopp topped his cousin Lonny Kopp
and Steve Liberty in the 750cc Expert
final, but his 600cc Exp ert w in would
. come in a much ha rd er-earn ed comefrom-beh ind fashion ; as Kopp had to
firs t overtake National nu mb er 40 Jeff
Annen before his win was fina lized on
the five-eigh th-mile track - a track to
w hich he too k a n imme dia te liking :
Kopp put a w heel u nderneath .Annen
coming ou t of turn four on the final lap
to lea d Annen and Lonny Kopp across
the line .
N
00
0\
0\
......
"
