REM GLEN HELEN RACE REPORT: TEAM VANCE & HINES USES REM TO PREP FOR THE LORETTA LYNN AMATEUR MOTOCROSS; GREG NELSON WINS BIG ONE
Preston Tilford had to borrow MXA’s YZ450F because his race bike is being prepped for Loretta Lynn and his practice bike is in need of a rebuild. Riding a stocker (with a pipe) didn’t slow him down.
The Vance & Hines race team had a good day at Glen Helen as their two young riders won their motcoross classes convincingly. With Vance & Hines sending their truck to Hurricane Mills in ten days with the bikes of Pro rider Preston Tilford and Intermediate Steven Tokarski inside, the two riders came out to REM to test their mettle on day when the temperatures soared over 100 degrees.
Preston Tilford won the 450 Pro class, even though was riding a borrowed MXA test bike. Preston’s 1-1 bested Brett Hottel’s 2-2 and Dylan McKee’s 3-5.
Steven Tokarski is Suzuki-mounted for Loretta Lynn.
Meanwhile in the 450 Intermediate class, Steven Tokarski was able to distance himself from local riders Justin Jones and Billy Musgrave. Jones is the son of four-time 250 National Champion Gary Jones and Musgrave is Willy Musgrave’s son. Musgrave suffered when preparing MXA‘s KTM 350SXF for the second moto. A rogue bee stung him?and of all places to get stung, it struck him in the palm of his hand. Jones’ 2-2 earned second and Musgrave’s 3-4 resulted in one of the most painful thirds of his career (and a trip to the emergency room when his hand started to swell up).
Max Lee (52) is trying to get a deal on the Troy Lee/Lucas Oil National team…in a few years.
The sons of other motocross racers were also in attendance: Cody Young won the 250 Intermediate class (Father: Chris Young); John Minert was second in the 250 Intermediates (Grandfather: Feets Minert); Ryan Surratt won the 125 Novice class (Father: Willie Surrat); Max Lee took the 65 class victory (Father: Troy Lee).
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CLASS OF THE DAY?
Greg Nelson had to catch and pass Dennis Boulware in the closing laps to win the Over-50 Expert class. He made it by the skin of his teeth.
The new 2011 KTM 350SXF’s should hit the showrooms this week, but REM has a plethora of magazine test bikes. George Kohler (81) on a 450SXF leads Ron Lawson (88) on a 350SXF.
Only at REM would you expect the biggest class of the day to be the Over-50 Expert class. These established motocross veterans engage in an all-out war every weekend (with a different winner almost every time). This weekend Greg Nelson used a 1-2 to beat Dennis Boulware’s 2-3. Speedway racer Randy Skinner won the second moto, but his first moto sixth left him in third overall. Randel Fout, now completely recovered from getting a footpeg through his thigh a couple months ago, looked good with a 3-4, while REM regulars George Kohler, Mark Hall, Ron Lawson, Ken Ehlers, Pete Vetrano and Leon Baird rounded out the top ten. Greg Groom was at REM to get ready for Ponca City and Loretta Lynn?but his 10-11 score left him out of the top ten.
Troy Lee skipped the Millville National to come to REM to test new products for the next model year.
Phil Dowell took the Over-40 Expert victory in front of Scott Lindley and Troy Lee.
Bryan Friday won the Over-40 Intermediate class for the third week in a row with a 2-1 in front of a top five of Mike Gee, Dan Alamangos, Scott Williams, Tim Harris and Brian Catterson.
Marc Crosby also has a win streak going in the Over-50 Intermediate class, as does Alan Olson in the Over-60 Expert class and Gary Scott in the Over-50 Novices.
Former BSA factory rider Chuck “Feets” Minert celebrated his 79th birthday at the riders’ meeting and then when out and raced in the Over-60 Expert class?because as announcer Tom White said, “They don’t have a 70 Expert class. And this time next year they would need to add an 80 Expert class.”
WHO WON THE YOUNG GUY CLASSES?
Nathan Cernicky went 1-4 in the 250 Novice class.
Although REM is famous for its large number of industry-based Over-40, Over-50 and Over-60 riders, the 30-and-under crowd put on an excellent show also.
Christian Campos used a 2-1 to take the 250 Novice win in front of the 3-2 of Dylan Anderson and 1-4 of Nathan Cernicky. Campos came back later to win the 450 Novice class also.
Nicholas Olson swept the Vet Novice class, while Pete Vetrano (3-2), Bret Freeman (2-3) and Gary Taylor (4-4) followed him home.
Former Saddleback racer Ernie Becker and Carlos Palomo tied with 1-2 and 2-1 scores in the Over-40 Novice class ?with Becker having the better second moto. Dave Pistone was third.
In the 250 Beginner’s Brendan Crow’s 2-1 bested Joseph Estrada’s 1-2. D.J. Reid used a 3-4 to take third away from Joe Valencia’s 5-3.
Billy Musgrave, before the bee sting, roosts Glen Helen dirt on a KTM 350SXF.
REM races again next Saturday, July 24. Practice starts at 9:00 a.m.
For more info go to www.remsatmx.com
Photos by Dan Alamangos
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