REM GLEN HELEN RACE REPORT: FIVE & DIME IN THE BIG FIVE-OH

Photos by Dan Alamangos & Debbi Tamietti

Click on images to enlarge

ramWAGEMANR.J. Wageman (21) won both motos of the 450 Pro class. He had to run down fast-starting Preston Tilford, but he got the job done in the second half the each moto. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

In the high-profile world of National motocross there is a pecking order of status, but in the trenches at locals races, like REM’s weekly Glen Helen wars, status is earned over time. No other class is as important at REM than the Over-50 Experts. It is the biggest class on a weekly basis and the most hard fought. If you think this a fluke, the second biggest class at REM this past weekend was the Over-60 class, followed by the Over-50 Novices and Over-50 Intermediates. You had to go down five classes before a “young” class showed up (250 Novice).

ram108Meanwhile, younger brother Robbie Wageman (108) won the 250 Intermediate class over a top three that included Jake Hogan and Willy Simons, Jr. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Why have these formerly over-the-hill classes become so popular?

(1) They aren’t just the largest classes, but they are part of a massive movement of the sport up in the age ranks. Motocross racers are getting older—less young people, apart from the Amateur National/motor home crowd, are taking up racing. At REM this weekend over 60% of the rider’s were over the age of 40. It’s no surprise that older rider’s would admire the better older riders, eschewing the young kids and Pros for the heroes of their age group.

ram8346Kai Mukai (83) is the pathfinder for Willy Simons, Jr. (46) on the way down this drop-off. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

(2) It’s not that the spectators and riders are ignoring the Pro ranks, it’s just that their focus is on the Pros of their generation (now affectionally called “former Pros”). Thus, they remember when younger versions of riders like Val Tamietti, Willy Simons, Gary Jones, Will Harper, Alan Olson, Jon Ortner and Tom White were movers and shakers in SoCal’s motocross world (at Saddleback, Indian Dunes and Carlsbad).

DANpaschalcoleJack Ward (147) and Bradley Cole (14) rail through this banked sweeper on the way to fifth and seventh in the 250 Novice class. Photo: Dan Alamangos

(3) With the REM Octobercross and Dubya World Vet Championship only one month away, the older classes begin to heat up as everyone tries to get rid of the flab and be in racing shape (it might take a magic wand in most cases). Alan Olson has been retired for two years, but since he turns 70 on Tuesday the nine-time World Vet Champion decided to come out to REM to get in good enough shape to try to win his 10th World Title — this time in the Over-70 class (to go with the ones he already has in the Over-40, Over-50 and Over-60 classes). Even the 20th place World Vet riders are still dreaming of being 19th on November 2.

ram50146315Vet Pro Winner William Hendershot (501) makes a perfect exit from this corner, while Willy Simons (46) and Josh Wright (315) are less precise. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

(4) Old guys rule because they have the money, stable families, and wherewithal to pursue the passion of their youth. And there were a lot more youth pursuing motocross stardom in the 1970s than today. Back in the 1970s the motorcycle manufacturers sold 1,000,000 dirt bikes a year. How many do you think they sell today? Half of that? No. A quarter of that? No. More like 1/10th of that! If you are looking for ready-made motocross racers, you need to go back to the 1970s where everybody owned a dirt bike.

ram27811How tough is life in the Over-50 Expert class? The difference between riders is often paper thin. Here, Luther French (2), Will Harper (7) and Dave Eropkin (811) give no quarter. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

DANwillharperWill Harper (7), former Indian Dunes star, does the roller coaster section at REM. Harper had a 3-10 day for seventh in the Over-50 Experts. Photo: Dan Alamangos

ramHALLMark Hall (47) powers his all-white Husqvarna FC450 out of a sandy corner, while his all-orange gear pays homage to the KTM that is hidden under the Husky livery. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

RAMeropkinBlasphemy! Earlier this year a lot of Over-50 Experts dropped their 450s in favor of 250s. Slowly, but surely, they have been returning to the big bike fold. Dave Eropkin is the latest to give up on the 250 strategy when he showed up with the brand-new KTM 350SXF this weekend. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

ram223New York’s Phil Dowell (23) gets the halo effect courtesy of Luther French’s roost. Dowell rode brilliantly on Saturday to sweep both motos of the Over-50 Experts. Luther was second. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

WHAT ABOUT THE YOUNG CROWD?

Keep your eye on the Wagemans. The sons of one of those “former Pros,” Russ Wageman, are beginning to make waves as R.J. Wageman won the 450 Pro class, while his brother Robbie took the 250 Intermediate victory.

DANcolemathelryChris Cole (45) leads the Over-50 Intermediate parade, but he may have left the door open to the inside for Greg Matherly (311) and Shy Moshe. Matherly would make the pass and go on to win with Cole second and Moshe third. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

The 250 Novice class was the biggest class of the young set with Gavin Todora winning it and the 450 Novices. But the moto scores proved that there was serious racing throughout the field (after Todora).

DAN60startWe don’t know of very many tracks across the country that can field as many racers from the 1970s as REM Glen Helen. The Over-60 Experts were the second largest class of the day. Tom White (80), Carl Gazafy (176), Lyle Sweeter (55) and Ken Ehlers (103) lead the charge. Gazafy was first, Ehlers second, Alan Kent third, Mic Rodgers fourth, Sweeter fifth, White sixth, Alan Olson seventh, Jody Weisel eighth, Tony Parsons ninth and Bill Seifert tenth. Photo: Dan Alamangos

DANolsonAlan Olson, nine-time World Vet Champion and AMA Mechanic of the Year (with Chad Reed), had a 70th birthday celebration at the rider’s meeting. It was all hugs and kisses — then on the track, his two buddies from the Saddleback days, Bill Seifert and Jody Weisel (192), blocked his every move as a birthday present. He finally got by them, but they stopped him from catching golf partner Tom White.. Photo: Dan Alamangos

The worst score of the day (worst as in heartbreaking) went to former AME number 1 Will Harper who was third in the first Over-50 Expert moto, but 10th in moto two. You might remember Will for his motorcycle stunt work for Sylvester Stallone in “First Blood.”

RAMfosterbegRyan Foster finished second overall in the 450 Beginner class, but he got the satisfaction of winning the first moto before going 1-3 behind Steve Hinton’s 2-1 and ahead of Ryan Hinton’s 3-2. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

There were a lot of 1-1 days including R.J. Wagemen, Robbie Wagemen, Phil Dowell, John Ortner, Greg Matherly, Robert Pocius, Carl Gazafy, Greg Pierce, Russell Brown, Justin Caron, David Bombard, Kevin Cook and Gavin Todora (twice).

DANtodoraThe big winner at REM this weekend was Gavin Todora (917). Gavin owned the 250 Novice and 450 Novice classes with four straight moto wins.. Photo: Dan Alamangos

ramPOCIUSRobert Pocius (153) had never won the Over-50 Novice class until six weeks ago  — since then he has never lost. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

The breakdown: In the weekly war to see which brand has the most bikes at the races, Yamaha continues to be the favored bike at REM — 31% of the riders were on Yamahas. KTM had the second most riders with 26%, followed by Honda at 22%. Kawasaki has 12% with Suzuki at 7%. Husqvarna had 2%.

DANmarkmooreMark Moore (103) and Lonnie Paschal traded 3-2 and 2-3 days with Moore getting the nod for second overall in the Over-50 Novices behind Pocius. Photo: Dan Alamangos

There were a lot of 1-1 days including R.J. Wagemen, Robbie Wagemen, Phil Dowell, John Ortner, Greg Matherly, Robert Pocius, Carl Gazafy, Greg Pierce, Russell Brown, Justin Caron, David Bombard, Kevin Cook and Gavin Todora (twice).

DANmisharyKuwaiti Mishari Aboushibah (86) has steadily improved during his summer in the USA. Photo: Dan Alamangos

DANkuwaitIn Kuwait they don’t race motocross in the summer because of the intense heat (average temperature in September is 117 degrees), so many Kuwaiti racers come to America to learn the trade while staying at Dennis Stapleton’s motocross camp. Abdullah Al-Ghanim (left) was at his first U.S. race ever, while Mishari Aboushibah (right) is a veteran of American racing. Photo: Dan Alamangos

bulstap_n Meanwhile, Dennis Stapleton sent this photo to his Kuwaiti pals from Sofia, Bulgaria. If you want to know more about Dennis’ SoCal motocross, bike rental or MX vacation program look up “Stapo MX” on Facebook or go to www.stapomx.com.

REM races again next weekend, October 4, before taking two weekends off to make room for the 24 Hours of Glen Helen (Oct. 11-12) and Old Timer’s International (Oct. 18-19). REM returns of October 25 for the Octobercross, which will be held on the trial version of the Dubya-sponsored World Vet Championship course. Of course, REM doesn’t race on World Vet weekend (Nov. 1-2), but will race every weekend after that for the rest of the year. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com

 

 

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