"Where it all began..."

Bob Kopplin
by S.A.F.E.R. Staff

"Alright, let's get 'em in the chutes right now!"

This is the familiar cry over the P.A. system in the pits each and every race night is that of Bob Kopplin. But there is more to Kopplin than just a voice over the race track P.A. Kopplin first started his career with the Cromartys at Islip Speedway, first as a columnist for a racing paper, then as a Public Relations person for the Cromartys. Kopplin's career in racing then took on a job that most individuals would not even attempt to do. Bob Kopplin took on the relatively thankless job as the track handicapper at Riverhead Raceway.

Each and every Saturday night, it is Kopplin's job to get the heat races, consolation races and feature event races for five divisions on the track and completed before the 10:45 curfew each race night. The job consist of coordinating and keeping track of some 200 -plus cars each and every Saturday night. It is also Bob Kopplin's job to keep track of the point standings and money earned for each car throughout the racing season. Much of the work that Bob does must be done on his own personal time, but for Bob Kopplin it is a labor of love for the sport of auto racing that keeps everyone racing each and every Saturday night.

Reprinted from 1996 SAFER Yearbook