EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW: 2017 WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

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The World Vet Motocross Championship celebrates its 33th year at Glen Helen Raceway on November 4-5, but it is really a four-day festival of speed 2016—because there are two days of practice before the weekend races.

Dubya Wheels is the 2017 World Vet Motocross Championship title sponsor, but there is a bigger story behind Dubya and the World Vet Motocross Championship. Tom White, who owned White Brothers back in the day, sponsored the first World Vet in 1984, and actually founded the event and sponsored it for the first 26 years. After selling the White Brothers, the new owners gave up the sponsorship of the race, but Tom wanted to keep the race moving forward, so he had his daughter and son-in-law’s company, Dubya USA wheels, become the title sponsor in 2014. And they are back for 2017 — bigger than ever.

Here is the schedule of events for the most important Vet race in the world—start making plans now.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Thursday will feature an open practice from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per bike. The 2017 Dubya World Vet Motocross Championship wants to give out-of-state and out-of-country riders as many chances as possible to adapt to the track — while riding on Thursday with AMA National Pros and 16-year-old kids. It’s a wild day. Smart World Vet racers skip riding on Thursday and stand back and watch the mayhem. Many riders skip both Thursday and Friday practices to save themselves for the actual races.

There is free camping at Glen Helen for the weekend. A weekend-long pass is $25 each. The one-day spectator entry fee is $10. If you camp, which is free, you can hear the race announcers on 93.4 FM on your radio.

The Glen Helen National track is always mellowed out for the World Vet, per orders from founder Tom White, but don’t think for a minute that the lack of big doubles makes it an easy track. No one will see the full 2017 World Vet layout until the REM Octobercross the weekend before the big race.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Friday offers a special practice, limited to riders who have pre-entered the 2017 Dubya World Vet Championship. This practice costs $25 per bike and runs from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. On this day the vendors will be setting up shop and the Glen Helen/Troy Lee Museum will be open in the afternoon. Sign-up for the weekend is open from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Pre-entry is $40 a class (the three pro classes, 30, 40 and 50, are $50).

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Saturday, November 4, is essentially a warm-up race to lessen the advantage that Glen Helen locals have. It is no surprise that foreign and out-of-state riders need time to get used to the roughness, elevation and size of Glen Helen—it is a tough track that gets rougher with each lap and each day. Only the Over-40 Pros are racing for a World Vet Championship crown on Saturday, November 4th. Gates open at 5:30 a.m. and practice starts at 7:00 a.m. The first race will be at 5:30 a.m.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Sunday, November 5, 2017 is the official World Veteran Motocross Championships day. All the same classes that ran on Saturday will race again on Sunday — only this time it is for all the marbles. The exception is the Over-40 Pro class (who named their Champion on Saturday, but can race for purse only on Sunday). The big classes on Sunday are the Over-30 Pros and Over-50 Pros. Gates open at 5:30 a.m. and practice starts at 7:00 a.m. First race will be at 5:30 a.m.

SUNDAY AT NOON: THE EDISON DYE MOTOCROSS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Bob Hannah received the Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award ten years ago from World Vet founder Tom White.

On Sunday at noon the Edison Dye Motocross Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented for the 20th time. Initiated to honor individuals who have made a positive contribution to our sport, the award has been received by Edison Dye, Roger DeCoster, Jeff Ward, Joel Robert, Torsten Hallman, Bruce Brown, Feets Minert, John DeSoto, Lars Larsson and many others. Each inducted rider gets a marker on the Glen Helen Walk of Fame (see Bob Hannah’s above).

ENTRIES: PRE,  POST & THE COST

You can sign up at www.glenhelen.com or just show up on race day and enter. Pre-entries will be accepted up until November 2. Pre-entries is $40 per class. Post entry is $45 . If you want to race a second class it is $30.

THE HARD AND FAST AGE RULES

It doesn’t matter if you will be 40 the next day, you cannot race in the 40 class until you are 40 years old. Cheaters are frowned on—especially in the Pro classes (where true ages are easily verified). The same goes for the Over-25 and up classes. No exceptions. No cheating. Bring your driver’s license to sign-up when you check in (and you must check in regardless of whether you pre-entered or not). No driver’s license — no race for you.

THE RULES: CLASS JUMPING & MOVING DOWN AGE GROUPS

Riders can ride in their age appropriate class and are then eligible to move down one skill level for every ten years (for example, an Over-50 Expert can race the Over-40 Intermediate class). Old riders can ride in younger classes, but young riders cannot ride in older age groups. This system works like this: An Over-60 Expert can also race the Over-50 Intermediates and the Over-40 Novices—he could also ride the Over-30 Novices and Over-25 Novices.

FREE TRANSPONDER SCORING

Scoring will be by transponder and you must bring your driver’s license to sign-up to prove that you are the right age before transponders will be handed out. No driver’s license—no race. There is no charge for the transponders, but you must leave a form of identification (driver’s license or credit card) to insure that you bring the transponder back at the end of the day. Pre-entered riders must check in along with post-entry riders. For more info or to pre-enter go to www.glenhelen.com

WHO CAN RACE THE WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP?

The 2017 World Vet Championship does not require membership, licenses or special paperwork. If you show up, you will be allowed to race. Racers come from 20 different countries to race all the classes. It is the original Vet race and titles have been won by many famous motocross racers — including Gary Jones, Rex Staten, Jeff Ward, Erik Kehoe, Warren Reid, Kent Howerton, Torlief Hanssen, Alan Olson, Rich Thorwaldson, Ron Turner, Feets Minert, Kyle Lewis, Casey Johnson, J.N. Roberts, Lars Larsson, Eyvind Boyesen, Pete Murray, Andy Jefferson, Zoli Berenyi, Ryan Hughes, Pete DeGraaf, Kurt Nicoll, Travis Preston and Doug Dubach.

WHY IS SATURDAY A WARM-UP RACE?

Why is Saturday considered a warm-up race for the Dubya-sponsored World Vet? Because many riders come from different states and countries, and the extra day allows them to learn the track, the dirt and the massive Talladega start before the big day on Sunday. Many World Vet regulars race Saturday’s race at a reduced pace, then only ride one lap of practice on Sunday morning (the track layout does not change on Saturday or Sunday), so that they are ready to go for their Sunday class.

WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES

Any rider who wins his class on Sunday—regardless of the skill level can claim to be a World Vet Champion (with the caveat that they are the “Over-40 Novice Champion,” etc). However. The true World Vet Champions, the ones that will be recognized for posterity, are the Over-30 Pro, Over-40 Pro, Over-50 Pro, Over-60 Experts and Over-70 class.

THE THREE SKILL CLASSES

The skill levels at the World Vet are Novice, Intermediate and Expert (plus the three Pro classes). There are no Beginner classes. After the Over-40 title is decided on Saturday, the Over-40 Pros can race on Sunday for the entry-style purse.  The Over-70 class is the only class with no skill divisions.

LAST YEAR’S WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP TOP TEN

Mike Sleeter.

RESULTS: OVER-30 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Mike Sleeter (KTM)………………2-1
2. Josh Coppins (Yam)…………….1-2
3. Travis Preston Yam)…………….3-3
4. Daryl Hurley (Hus)……………….7-4
5. Cole Siebler (Hon)……………….5-6
6. Tonni Andersen (KTM)………….8-7
7. Javier Garcia Vico (Hon)………6-9
8. Dennis Stapleton (KTM)……….9-8
9. Arik Swan (Kaw)………………….4-15
10. Gordon Ward (Yam)…………..10-10
Other notables: 11. Mattieu Smith; 12. Ryan Hunt; 16. Sean Collier; 22. Shawn Wynne.

Daryl Hurley.

RESULTS: OVER-40 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Daryl Hurley (Hus)………………..1-1
2. Kurt Nicoll (KTM)…………………2-2
3. Kenjiro Tsuji (Hon)……………….4-3
4. Javier Garcia Vico (Hon)……….3-4
5. Ryan Hunt (Hon)………………….6-5
6. Gordon Ward (Yam)……………..5-6
7. Brian Wheeler (Kaw)…………….8-7
8. Julian Cerny (Kaw)………………7-8
9. Jeff Willoh (Suz)………………….11-9
10. Brandon Milstead (Yam)…….10-10
Other notables: 11. Ron Lechien; 12. Shawn Wynne; 13. Mike Reefman; 16. Ed Foedish.

Kurt Nicoll.

RESULTS: OVER-50 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Kurt Nicoll (KTM)…………………1-1
2. Pete Murray (Yam)……………….2-2
3. Ed Foedish (Yam)………………..3-3
4. Mitch Rowe (KTM)………………4-4
5. Jon Ortner (Yam)…………………5-6
6. Bob Weber (Hon)…………………6-9
7. Rob Engel (Kaw)………………….9-7
8. Luther French (KTM)…………..13-5
9. Ed Heacox (Yam)………………..8-10
10. Loren Pochirowski (Yam)……11-8
Other notables: 11. Bryan Schritter; 12. Dave Fontes; 13. Dana Wiggins; 21 Joe Root.

Pete DeGraff.

RESULTS: OVER-60 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Pete DeGraff (KTM)…………….1-1
2. Isao Ida (Hon)…………………….2-2
3. Chuck Sun (TM)………………….3-3
4. Tony Cooksey (Yam)……………4-4
5. Jim Latendresse (KTM)………..5-5
6. Rick Johnson (Hon)……………..6-9
7. Bob Rutten (KTM)……………….9-7
8. Jay Migliore (Hon)………………13-5
9. Massimi Marescalchi (Hus)….8-10
10. Jim Butts (Hon)………………..11-8
Other notables: 11. Jim Hanson; 12. Joe Pena; 13. Mike Marion.

Jim O’Neal.

RESULTS: OVER-70 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Jim O’Neal (Hus)…………………..1-1
2. Bill Van Vugt (Yam)………………2-2
3. Bart Kellogg (KTM)……………….3-4
4. Nobuhiro Furuta (Yam)…………5-3
5. Steve Machado (Yam)……………4-5
6. Rickey Anderson (Hus)…………6-6
7. Tommy Pearl (KTM)……………..8-7
8. Lars Larsson (Hus)……………….9-9
9. Jan Lindmark (Hon)……………..7-11
10. John Huegel (KTM)……………11-8
Other notables: 11. Rod Harrison; 12. Gary Anderson; 13. David Davis.

2017 DUBYA WORLD VET SCHEDULE

THURSDAY: NOVEMBER

Thursday Open Practice: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ($25 per bike)

FRIDAY: NOVEMBER 3
Friday Practice: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ($25 per bike)

SATURDAY: NOVEMBER 4
Gates open: 5:30 a.m.
Practice: 7:00 a.m.
Racing: 8:30 a.m.
All Classes +25 and up race!
Feature Purse Race: +40 Pro!

SUNDAY: NOVEMBER 5
Gates open 5:30 a.m.
Practice: 7:00 a.m.
Racing: 8:30 a.m.
Feature Purse Race: +30 Pro
Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award: 12:30 p.m. (in museum)
Gate Fees: $25 per weekend or $10 per day
Entry Fees: $40 pre-entry, $45 post entry, $30 second class (no memberships required)
Info: www.glenhelen.com

EDISON DYE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS (1997-2016)

2016 recipient Lars Larsson.

1997 …Roger DeCoster
1998 …Rick Johnson
1999 …Edison Dye
2000 …Torsten Hallman
2001 …Bruce Brown
2002 …1981 MX Des Nations Team: Chuck Sun, Danny LaPorte, Johnny O’Mara, Donnie Hansen
2003 …Gary Jones
2004 …Jeff Ward
2005 …Stu Peters
2006 …Joel Robert
2007 …Bob Hannah
2008 …Brad Lackey
2009 …Tony DiStefano
2010 …Broc Glover
2011 …David Bailey
2012 …Marty Smith
2013 …John DeSoto
2014 …Feets Minert
2015 …Dave McCoy
2016 …Lars Larsson
2017 …???

WORLD VET CHAMPIONS (1986—2016)

Doug Dubach is the winningest World Vet racer of all-time. Doug has won 25 World Vet titles in the Over-30, Over-40 and Over-50 classes.

1986
30 …Randy Rodriquez (ATK)
40 …Alan Olson
1987
30 …Gary Jones (Hon)
40 …Alan Olson
1988
30 …Rex Staten (Hon)
40 …Alan Olson
50 …Ron Way
1989
30 …Warren Reid (Kaw)
40 …Alan Olson
50 …Ron Way
1990
30 …Rex Staten (Hon)
40 …Tom White
50 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.

Canadian Zoli Berenyi won 12 titles in the Over-50, Over-60 and Over-70 classes. Above is Zoli and three-time World Vet Champion Lars Larsson.
1991
30 …Rex Staten (Hon)
40 …Alan Olson
50 …Ron Dugan
1992
30 …Rex Staten (Kaw)
40 …Gary Jones
50 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
1993
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Gary Jones
50 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
1994
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Kent Howerton
50 …Alan Olson
60 …Fred Sessions
1995
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Kent Howerton
50 …Alan Olson
60 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
1996
30 …Erik Kehoe (Hon)
40 …Mike Webb
50 …Gary Dogget
60 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
1997
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Ron Turner
50 …Alan Olson
60 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
1998
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Ron Turner
50 …Rich Thorwaldson
60 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
1999
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Ron Turner
50 …Hideaki Suzuki
60 …John Berkezewski

Alan Olson won 9 times. He won his first crown in the Over-40 class at the inaugural event in 1986 and his last one 19 years later in the Over-60 class.

2000
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Pete Murray
50 …Hideaki Suzuki
60 …George Spearing
2001
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Jeff Ward
50 …Ike DeJager
60 …Lars Larsson
70 …Feets Minert
2002
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Andy Jefferson
50 …Gary Jones
60 …Eyvind Boyesen
70 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
2003
30 …Spud Walters (Hon)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Gary Jones
60 …J.N. Roberts
70 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.

Ryan Hughes broke Doug Dubach’s spell for five years. The photo above is from 2012.

2004
30 …Ryan Hughes (Hon)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Gary Jones
60 …Hans Hansson
70 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
2005
30 …Ryan Hughes (Hon)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Brent Wallingsford
60 …Alan Olson
70 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
2006
30 …Casey Johnson (Yam)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Kim Houde
60 …Terry Sage
70 …Zoli Berenyi, Sr.
2007
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Pete DeGraaf
60 …Bill Maxim
70 …Mike Dobbins
2008
30 …Kyle Lewis (Hon)
40 …Eric Sandstrom
50 …Toon Karsmakers
60 …Thorlief Hanssen
70 …Jerry Harpole

Lars Larsson won his first World Vet title in 2001 when he was 60-years-old and repeated as the Over-70 Champion a decade later. He then added a second Over-70 crown in 2012 as icing on the cake.

2009
30 …Doug Dubach (Yam)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Pete DeGraaf
60 …Bill Maxim
70 …Jimmy Redwine
2010
30 …Ryan Hughes (Hon)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Pete DeGraaf
60 …Bill Maxim
70 …Feets Minert
2011
30 …Ryan Hughes (Yam)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Pete DeGraaf
60 …Gary Chase
70 …Lars Larsson
2012
30 …Ryan Hughes (Yam)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Pete Murray
60 …Gary Jones
70 …Lars Larsson
2013
30 …Travis Preston (Yam)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Doug Dubach
60 …Gary Jones
70 …Bart Kellogg

Travis Preston did the double in 2013 and 2014—and had an epic battle with Ryan Hughes in 2012.

2014
30 …Travis Preston (Yam)
40 …Doug Dubach
50 …Doug Dubach
60 …Brent Wallingsford
70 …Gary Chase
2015
30 …Ryan Morais (KTM)
40 …Kurt Nicoll
50 …Doug Dubach
60 …Don Grahn
70 …Roque Colman
2016
30 …Mike Sleeter (KTM)
40 …Daryl Hurley
50 …Kurt Nicoll
60 …Pete DeGraaf
70 …Jim O’Neal