Weekend auto racing preview: Driver's win brings back memories of yesteryear

Weekend auto racing preview: Driver's win brings back memories of yesteryear


By Steve Kaminski
Skaminsk@mlive.com MLive.com

MARNE – Billy Eppink made some great memories Saturday night at the Berlin Raceway, and the veteran driver brought back some special ones for the old-time fans.

“That’s just how his grandpa used to do it,” is what they were saying after Eppink won his first Vintage Racing Organization of America feature race.

The traveling VROA offers body styles from yesteryear, back when his grandfather, the late Marv Eppink, was among the popular drivers competing in Marne.

“As far as the body goes, these were what they used to race back when Berlin was a dirt track, back when my grandfather raced,” Eppink said. “Ever since I started to race these, people will come up to me, and they will tell me, ‘I remember when your grandpa used to race out here.’”

Eppink, of Walker, already helped his family make Berlin track history last year when he won a Modified division feature race. Eppink’s win meant that he became only the second third-generation driver to win a feature at the Marne half-mile. His grandfather, who died in 1976, and father Ross Eppink were winners, too, enabling his family to join the Drolemas (Harry, Jack Sr. and Jack) as the only family to achieve the feat.

Eppink and his wife, April Eppink, are expecting their first child later this summer. Time will tell if the Eppinks become the first four-generation driver to make it to Berlin’s Victory Lane.

Eppink races in Berlin’s Modified division full-time, and he received an opportunity to race the VROA car for the More Power Racing team out of Sparta when it doesn’t conflict with his Modified schedule. He said both cars offer their own challenges, and he said driving both have made him a better driver.

“There is no power steering in the VROA cars, and they are all leaf spring instead of coil spring,” Eppink said. The shock packages are different, and they have an inline six cylinder compared to our V8. The VROA is a little bit lighter. That’s the majority (of the differences) right there.

“The nice thing is that they are on the same tire as we have on the Mod. But it has helped me become a little better driver. It’s similar to the guys who run the Nationwide on one day and (Sprint) Cup the next.”

Here’s what is going on at West Michigan tracks this weekend.

BERLIN RACEWAY
Super Stocks, Modifieds, Sportsman and 4 Cylinder racing will return to the Marne half-mile Saturday at 7 p.m. The program is billed as Kids Night Extravaganza, and it will offer games and activities for children.

CRYSTAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Crystal is hosting Mid-Season Championship races for its six classes on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m.

GRATTAN RACEWAY
The Rally Sports Porsche Club will take to Grattan’s 2.1 mile road course Friday-through-Sunday.

I-96 SPEEDWAY
The Lake Odessa-based track will host AMA Motocross action Friday night, followed by the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour Sunday. Street Stocks, Sports Compacts and a make-up race from June 2 for the Modifieds.

KALAMAZOO SPEEDWAY
The Outlaw Super Late Models will highlight a five-in-one card on Saturday at 7 p.m. The program will include Mini Stocks, Super Stocks, Pro Stocks and Cyber Stocks.

U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
Drag racers will take the weekend off since Martin is hosting the B93 Birthday Dash.