Getting Up To Speed With...Travis Koch
By Ben Deatherage
Originally from the town of Buxton, Oregon Travis Koch now calls Vancouver, Washington his home. Last year Koch participated in his very first season of racing at Sunset Speedway Park and seemed to really enjoy himself. In 2014 he plans on coming back to race with the 4-Bee division and is hungry for a championship.
Last season Koch finished in the runner-up position in the points table and also earned the Rookie of the Year award. He would visit victory lane twice and posted nine top five finishes in thirteen starts. We got a chance talked to Travis about his plans for the future, how he got involved in racing, and what he thought of his first season. Now let’s get up to speed with Travis Koch.
Driver: Travis Koch
Home Track: Sunset Speedway Park
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
Occupation: Mechanic
Age: 36
Years Racing: 1
Classification: 4-Bee
Team: Dunspun Racing
Car: 21
Chassis: 1997 Dodge Neon
Sponsors: North’s Plumbing, Dusty’s Machine Shop, Mac Tools, Dan’s Cylinder Heads
BD: Last year Travis you visited victory lane twice. How would you personally rate 2013?
TK: I had a blast. It was my first year and I had to really get used to everything. But everyone I raced with was pretty cool.
BD: Is there any specific reason you race the #21?
TK: I pitted for Jason Blythe and he was #12 so I decided to just switch the numbers around.
BD: How exactly did you get your start in racing?
TK: I grew up in the Banks area and went to track when I was younger. My buddy Jason put a car together and I didn’t really enjoy going to watch someone else race everyday so I decided to build a car for myself.
BD: For anybody that has never been to the town of Buxton what is life like there?
TK: It’s a really small town with kids on their BMX bikes with fishing poles going to the local streams. It’s only two miles from Banks. It’s a neat place to grow up.
BD: What are some goals that you have set for yourself?
TK: This season I’m hoping to do better and finish one spot better in points. My goal is once I get a championship in the 4-Bees and move up to something like the Street Stocks.
Sunset Speedway Park enters the 2014 season with an action packed schedule that you do not want to miss out on. The first event of the season is a test and tune play day scheduled to take place on Saturday April 5th while the first race of the year will be held on the 19th. To get the latest information and read the most recent stories regarding SSP log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.