REM MOTOCROSS RACE REPORT: GETTING IN A RACE BEFORE GOING TO A RACE

Brian Medeiros (934) doesn’t just depend on the fact that he weighs 130 pounds to out-pull his competition—he goes full aerodynamic also. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

PHOTOS BY DEBBI TAMIETTI, MARK CHILSON & JON ORTNER

Glen Helen, with the aid of Joe Sutter, put a lot of work into widening and changing the REM track this week. Friday morning rain showers left the REM track in perfection condition for Saturday’s REM Motocross. Even with the 2020  Anaheim 2 Supercross later that evening, a lot of motocross racers elected to get a race before going to the stadium. REM runs such an efficient program that they are almost always done by 2:00 p.m. (as all Saturday motocross races should be so that riders can get ready to race on Sunday).

Believe it or not, Over-60 racer Kent Reed lent Brian his spare WP Cone Valve forks for the second moto and he gave the 48 N/mm spring off his Traxx shock to Jody Weisel for his Pro Circuit linkage. REM is a very friendly place. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

In lots of ways, REM motocross signals the changing ages of active motocross racers—the two largest classes at REM this weekend were the Over-60 Experts and Over-50 Experts. Most of these old guys are former Saddleback, Indian Dunes and Carlsbad racers—who either never stopped racing or took time off to raise their families and then came back to racing in their 40s. They come to REM because it is a classic motocross track—with rolling hills, steep climbs and lots of technical sections. This is not one of the new breed of flat as a pancake tracks that seem to dominate the motocross landscape. It is a true-to-life motocross track.

250 Pro winner Tatsushi Kawakami gave some of the REM corners his best Mert Lawwill imitation. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Although REM is famous for its Vet riders, there are young classes at REM for Beginners, Novices, Intermediates and, of course, Pros. Hawaiian Brian Medeiros grabbed two holeshots and won both 450 Pro motos, while Japanese rider Tatsushi Kawakami took the 250 Pro win. Tyler Eversman won the 250 Beginner class, Chase Young took the 125 Novice victory, Joe Gallegly was first in the Vet Novices, Aaron Damico got the gold in the Over-40 Novices and Carter Dubach raced his YZ125 to the 250 intermediate win.

Willy Simons, Jr. won the first 250 Pro moto, but fried his clutch in the second moto and he nursed his RM-Z250 home for a second overall with a 1-2. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

The breakdown by brands is always interesting at REM. 35% of all bikes at REM were KTM’s, 30% were Yamahas, 18% were Husqvarna, 13% were Hondas, 3% Suzuki and 2% TMs. There was not a single Kawasaki at REM this weekend.

“If Tatsushi can do it to the left, I’ll do it to the right,” thought Carter Dubach. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

“Oops! the front wheel is sliding instead of the rear,” was the dialogue inside Carter’s helmet. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

And down she went. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

SELECTED RACE RESULTS

MXA’s Jody Weisel (192) out for a Sunday cruise on a Saturday. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

These are the results from a sampling of the classes at REM this past Saturday.

OVER-30 NOVICE
1. Brian Bolding (KTM)…1-1
2. Mark Taylor (Yam)…2-1
3. Braden Larson (Hon)…3-4

Australian Dan Alamangos. Photo: Mark Chilson

OVER-40 NOVICE
1. Lamont Dusseau (Yam)…1-1
2. Jaime Olmoss (Hon)…3-2
3. Michael McCune (Hon)…2-3

Glen Helen’s John Allen consults with Joe Sutter (111) about some future track changes. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Will Harper won the Over-60 Expert class and was second overall in the Over-50 Experts. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

OVER-40 EXPERT
1. Luther French (KTM)…1-1
2. Phil Dowell (KTM)…2-2
3. Pasha Afshar (KTM)…3-4
         Lance Sloane (24) and Robert Pocius (152) drag race. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

OVER-50 NOVICE
1. Lance Sloane (KTM)…2-1
2. Mike Burgmeier (Yam)…1-3
3. Mike Hillion (KTM)…3-2

Val Tamietti stopped mid-moto to ask Alan Lane and Mark Chilson if his rear tire was flat. They said, “Come back on the next lap and we’ll tell you.”  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

As Val pulled away, he was more confused than when he stopped. It didn’t really matter as he managed to go 2-4 for fourth.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

OVER-50 INTERMEDIATE
1. Lonnie Paschal (Yam)…2-1
2. Mike Phillips (KTM)…1-2
3. Bill Reimer (KTM)…4-3

Early in the Pro motos Willy Simons (246) could keep Brian Medeiros in the sights, but Brian’s all-out attack plan on his Husvqarna FC350 was too much for Simons’ RM-Z250. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

OVER-50 EXPERT
1. John Griffin (Hus)…1-1
2. Will Harper (Hus)…2-3
3. Joe Sutter (Yam)…6-2

When half of the Over-50 Elite riders switched to the Over-40 Expert class, because it started in the second gate behind the Pro race and got a longer 20-minute moto., Jon Ortner left without any serious competition. He won both motos. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

OVER-50 ELITE
1. Jon Ortner (Yam)…1-1
2. Ron Shuler (KTM)…2-2
3. Phil Dowell (KTM)…3-3

Tyler Eversman (362) won the 250 Beginner class on his Suzuki RM-Z250. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Gary Scott has fought back from injuries his whole racing career. Now he’s healthy enough to race—proven by his 1-1 victory in the Over-60 Intermediates. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

OVER-60 INTERMEDIATE
1. Gary Scott (Yam)…1-1
2. Kent Reed (KTM)…3-2
3. Phil Cruz (Hus)…2-4

Rick Grossman (68) smoked his way to a 3-4 day in the Over-50 Intermediates. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Brit Tony Parsons won the Over-65 Intermediates. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

OVER-65 INTERMEDIATE
1. Tony Parson (KTM)…1-1
2. Mike King (Hus)…2-2
3. Lars Larsson (Hus)…3-3

Former AMA Supercross winner, factory Yamaha rider and multi-time World Vet Champion Doug Dubach (left) gives son Carter a few last minute tips. Photo: Jon Ortner

450 Pro winner Brian Medeiros (934), 250 Pro winner Tatsushi Kawakami (5) and 250 Intermediate winner Carter Dubach (15) share a pensive moment while waiting for their race. Photo: Jon Ortner

OVER-60 EXPERT
1. Will Harper (Hus)…1-2
2. Robert Reiseinger (Hus)…4-1
3. Dave Eropkin (KTM)…3-3

Robert Reisinger (96) makes an outside pass on Marc Crosby (66), while eventual Over-60 winner Will Harper (7) bears down on them. Or is this the Over 59-1/2 class? Photo: Jon Ortner

OVER-65 EXPERT
1. Mic Rodger (Hus)…1-1
2. Ken Ehlers (Yam)…2-2
3. Rollie Rodriguez (Yam)…4-3

Over-40 Expert winner Luther French on his Suzuki. Ooops! That’s not a Suzuki. It’s a yellow KTM 450SXFPhoto: Jon Ortner

Phil Dowell (23) leads Josh Fout (92) and Luther French (2). Luther is trying to catch up to MXA’s Josh Fout to see what real Suzuki looks likePhoto: Jon Ortner

If you want to be virtually invisible to a camera lens, this is how you do it. Black helmet, black pants, black jersey, black handguards and black goggles. Pasha Afshar demonstrates how to avoid ever getting a photo of you selected—unless your photo as an example to how not to dress if you want your picture to run. Photo: Jon Ortner

In a partial race schedule for 2020, REM is scheduled to hold motocross races on January 25, February 1, February 15, February 22, March 7, March 14, March 21, March 28, April 18, April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16 and May 24. That is 15 races in the next  next 21 weekends  (including  6 straight races in April and May).

UPCOMING 2020 REM RACE SCHEDULE
Jan. 25
Feb. 1
Feb. 15
Feb. 22
Mar. 7
Mar. 14
Mar. 21
Mar. 28
Apr. 18
Apr. 25
May 2 (REM Vet Cup)
May 9
May 16
May 23

Josh Fout (92) on MXA’s 2020 Suzuzki RM-Z450. Photo: Mark Chilson

REM races this coming weekend on January 25.  For more info about REM motocross go to www.remsatmx.com or their Facebook page by Clicking Here.

DO YOU RACE AT REM? WANT A PHOTO OF YOU IN ACTION?  DEBBI HAS THEM

Give Debbi a day or two to process this week’s REM race photos to her SmugMug account and then browse to your hearts content. You can order digital photos of yourself or friends from her page—for as little a $1.50. To look at this week’s REM race (posted in a couple days) and Debbi’s favorites photos go to www.debbitamietti.smugmug.com

 

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