“SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” MOTOCROSS REPORT: YOU MEET THE NICEST PEOPLE IN A BERM

Sean Lipanovich (505) works his way through the forest section of the “Saturday” track at Glen Helen — all 22-feet of it.

PHOTOS BY DEBBI TAMIETTI & DAN ALAMANGOS

“Saturday at the Glen” turns out of be the cheapest motocross races in SoCal. while other tracks have increased their gate fees to $40 (along with their race and entry fees), Glen Helen has decided to not raise prices (and, in fact, the Saturday at the Glen entry fee was lowered by 40%). The track gate fee on a race day is $10 (per person) and the Tuesday or Thursday practice fee is only $30. The race entry for the “Saturday at the Glen” MX is only $30 (if you pre-entry online) or $40 at the window on race day. You should have your own transponder, but, if you don’t, “Saturday at the Glen” will rent you one. There are also 85cc, 65cc and Pee-Wee classes that are designed to be fun and challenging for the kids.

Preston Tilford (17) is way up above the Jacaranda tree in the pits below. Preston went 2-2 in the 450 Pro class.

This weekend the track layout went up and over Mt. Whitney, using the top as a big tabletop, and then, when the riders came back into view they were jumping the downhill side as an even larger tabletop. Not every rider decided to jump both of them because of the sheer height of the downhill landing ramps, but it was spectacular for those who launched them in succession.

THE BIG WINNERS

Willy Simons, Jr. has signed a big money contract to ride Husqvarna’s for San Ventura Roofing (SVR). It’s a multi-year deal, because his mom is close to the owner.

Sean Lipanovich still holds all the keys to mastery of Glen Helen’s upper track (formerly known as the REM track). Sean teaches motocross schools and lots of his students race at Glen Helen, so Sean comes to the races to help them, and since he is at the track he might as well win the 450 Pro class at the same time. Second in the 450 Pros was Preston Tilford, who was once an up-and-coming Loretta Lynn Intermediate, when he raced for the Alan Olson-run Vance-and-Hines Yamaha motocross team. But Preston’s AMA Pro career got side-track by life and now, at 30 years old, he has decided to make a comeback. He was lucky enough to find mentors from Glen Helen’s Vet population, who bought him a new bike and gear, an even sent him of Sean Lipanovich’s MX School to dust off some of the cobwebs from his long lay-off. Motocross is filled with good people—not just Kent Reed and Will Harper, who are sponsoring Preston, but also Sean Lipanovich, who was willing to teach the guy who is chasing him how to get better at it. Also at this week’s race was Willy Simons Jr., who has been missing from the Glen Helen scene for what seems like a couple years. Even Willy Simons, Sr, who was a great SoCal Pro in his Indian Dunes’ days, came out to watch Junior in the 450 Pro class—where he finished  3-3.

Mic Rodgers (115) is riding like a new man—well, two-fifths of a new man anyway.

Also back in action was Hollywood Stunt Coordinator Mic Rodgers, who has been missing while he recovered from knee and hip replacement surgery. Mic was genuinely happy to be back at the races and went an amazing 3-4 for fourth in the competitive Over-65 Intermediates. Equally surprising was the return of Frank Thomason to the ranks of motorcycle racers. The former REM race promoter, had retired earlier this year after 35 years of hosting the popular REM motocross. Frank came to Glen Helen to race instead of running the races for a change. The next race for Frank will be the Mammoth Mountain Motocross next week.

Shawn Bushnell (408) is under more pressure to win than Eli, Chase or Ken. How so? They don’t have to worry about the day their wives decide to move up from the Intermediates to the Experts.

We don’t have a clue why there is a dust cloud boiling up underneath Alison Bushnell, but it makes for an interesting photo.

Among the big winners this Saturday were the Bushnells. Shawn Bushnell won the Over-40 Expert class with a 1-1 over Over-50 Expert winner Todd Mitchell, who was double classing it, while his wife Alison used a 2-2 to take the Over-40 Intermediate victory over a tough field of competitors. Their sons, Bode and Jef finished fourth and fifth in the 85cc minicycle class. Meanwhile, Bob Rutten continues to dominate the Over-65 Expert class in what always seem to be nail-biter motos over former multi-time CMC Saddleback pro Val Tamietti. Rutten held on in both moto to take a 1-1 victory.

Bob Rutten (83) and Val Tamietti (31) might as well take up sidecar motocross racing, since they don’t like to be separated from each other.

There were six classes where two riders tied on points (Supermini, Over-50 Intermediate, Over-50 Novice, Over-40 Novice, Vet Novice and Over-65 Novice). Of course the rider with the best second moto score took home the gold…well, something that looked like gold.

What follows are the action shots that Debbi Tamietti and Dan Alamangos shot as “Saturday at the Glen” took over Glen Helen:

Dennis Stapleton (184) took the Vet Pro win, but spent the day testing different forks and shocks.

Josh Fout (171) was assigned to race the Kawasaki KX450SR Special Racer that Josh Mosiman raced at the Hangtown 450 National last week—works Showa suspension and all.

450 PRO
1. Sean Lipanovich (KTM)…1-1
2. Preston Tilford (KTM)…2-2
3. Willy Simons (Hus)…3-3

Former REM race promoter Frank Thomason (42) came to Glen Helen to get ready for next weekend’s Mammoth Mountain Motocross.

450 INTERMEDIATES
1. Zach Wiley (Hon)…2-1
2. Chris Chapman (Gas)…3-1
3. Troy Jackson (Kaw)…1-4

Dane Kortz (257) crashed right before the transponder line, but then Dane disapppeared, leaving his bike on the track. Where did he go?

Photographer Dan Alamangos found Dane at the top of the banking trying to climb the fence. Note that he had already thrown his helmet over the fence. We never found out what was happening. The track worker, in yellow, is scurrying down to get the bike off the track.

OVER-30 INTERMEDIATES
1. Spencer Wernli (Yam)…1-1
2. Michael Lopez (Hon)…4-2
3. Justin Jordan (Hus)…2-4

Randel Fout (62) is Josh Fout’s father—we don’t know which one is the faster of the two.

OVER-30 NOVICES
1. Vance Freeman (Hon)…2-2
2. Zac Carriere (Yam)…1-3
3. Chris Angell (Hus)…5-1

Michael Brown (53) was third in the Over-40 Experts with a 2-4 score.

OVER-40 EXPERTS
1. Shawn Bushnell (Hus)…1-1
2. Todd Mitchell (Yam)…3-2
3. Michael Brown (KTM)…2-4

Watering the hills at Glen Helen is a tough job. It involves climbing steep terrain while dragging 100 feet of heavy fire hose behind you. It is not for the faint of heart.

OVER-40 INTERMEDIATES
1. Alison Bushnell (Hus)…2-2
2. Stephen Moore (Yam)…1-3
3. Wayne Ashby (Hus)…4-1

Johnny Hayes (258) and Casey Musick (85) were third and fifth in the Over-40 Novice class.

OVER-40 NOVICES
1. Rado Bastovic (Kaw)…2-1
2. Jeremy Kortz (KTM)…1-2
3. Johnny Hayes (KTM)…3-4

Todd Mitchell (413) won both motos of the Over-50 Expert class.

Now, this is what you would call a “Conga Line.” These are the Over-50 Experts coming off the banking of the first turn.

OVER-50 EXPERTS
1. Todd Mitchel (Yam)…1-1
2. Pete Murray (Yam)…3-2
3. Eddie Davis (Yam)…2-3

Morgan Pierce (5) leads Ernie Becker (97) and Zac Carriere (705) over a steep hump.

OVER-50 INTERMEDIATES
1. Robert Roehik (Yam)…2-1
2. Russell Wallace (Hon)…1-2
3. Pete Anagnos (Hus)..3-3

Robot Rogers (5) ducks the roost on his way to fourth in the Over-60 Intermediates.

OVER-50 NOVICES
1. Scott Murphy (KTM)…3-1
2. Aaron Lunsford (Hon)…2-2
3. Cory Clark (Kaws)..1-3

Pete Murray (7) took the Over-60 Expert win with a 1-1 and was second in the back-t0-back Over-50 Experts with a 3-2.

OVER-60 EXPERTS
1. Pete Murray (Yam)…1-1
2. Ed Guajardo (Yam)…3-2
3. Robert Reisinger (Hus)…2-3

Marc Crosby (17) pulls away from Greg Groom (596) to win their personal grudge match in the Over-60 Intermediates.

OVER-60 INTERMEDIATE
1. Arne Davis (KTM)…1-2
2. Randy Skinner (Kaw)…4-1
3. Bill Reimer (Hus)…3-3

Steven Chandler (306) lives about five minutes down the street from Bob Rutten. Unfortunately, for their Glen Helen racing careers, that street is located in New Harmony, Utah. That’s not what you’d call a local race.

OVER-65 EXPERTS
1. Bob Rutten KTM)…1-1
2. Val Tamietti (Yam)…2-2
3. Steve Chandler (Hus)…3-3

Robert Pocius gooses his KTM 350SXF for Debbi’s camera.

OVER-65 INTERMEDIATES
1. Sam Lupear (TM)…1-1
2. John Fitz (Yam)…2-3
3. Phil Cruz (Hus)…4-2

Pasha Afshar (on the ground) had his buddy stand on his chest between motos.

Here, Pasha Afshar (L7) chases Dan Alamangos in the Over-50 Expert class. He didn’t catch him. Perhaps he needs two people to stand on his chest at the next race.

When Dan Alamangos isn’t racing, he likes to lay down on the job. He is trying to get a low angle photo of Dennis Stapleton (184).

Dan Alamangos gives Josh Fout (171) a golf clap for falling down three times on his was to second in the Vet Expert class.

125 NOVICE
1. Mason Aeck (KTM)…1-1
2. Trevor Strothers (Gas)…2-2
3. Johnny Hayes (KTM)…4-3

Every five races, “Saturday at the Glen” hands out trophies to the riders who earned the most points in their class for that time period.

250 BEGINNER
1. Daniel Castillo (Gas)…1-1
2. Alvin Camaja (Yam)…3-2
3. Kurt Narmore (Kaw)…2-3

Gabriella Fout (76) went 5-3 for fourth in the 250 Novices on her Husqvarna cross-country bike.

250 NOVICE
1. Justin Giordano (KTM)…2-1
2. Jordan Ernst (Kaw)…3-2
3. Dane Kortz (KTM)…1-4

Nigel Crosby went 3-5 in the 450 Novices. He just came back to motocross recently. The last bike he raced was a CRF150 four-stroke minicycle. He’s a little big for that now.

450 NOVICE
1. Chris Angell (Hus)…2-1
2. Quinton Ashby (Hon)…1-3
3. Michael Oetzell (KTM)…4-2

Brennen Watson (318) won the SuperMini class with a 2-1 over Dustyn Davis’ 1-2.

SUPERMINI
1. Brennen Watson (KTM)…2-1
2. Dustyn Davis (Gas)…1-2
3. Trevor Strothers (Gas)…3-3

Justin Giordano’s 1-1 beat Taylor Herald’s 3-2, Cash Daugherty’s 4-3  and Bode Bushnell’s 5-4.

85 CLASS
1. Justin Giordano (KTM)…1-1
2. Taylor Herald (KTM)…3-2
3. Cash Daugherty (Kaw)…4-3

85 BEGINNER
1. Stanley Cook (KTM)…1-1
2. Kai Lopez (KTM)…2-2
3. Cole Clowers (KTM)…3-3

Gavin Waite (55) got second in the 65 Beginner class with a 1-3 to Dakota Ramos’ 2-1.

65 BEGINNER
1. Dakota Ramos (Cob)…2-1
2. Gavin Waite (Kaw)…1-3
3. Maverick Waite (Kaw)…3-2

Cannon Bogh (915) was third in the 4-to-6 years old Pee-Wee class on his electric Husky.

PEE-WEE 50 (4 to 6)
1. Camden Licon (KTM)…1-1
2. Dillon Chapman (Cob)…2-2
3. Cannon Bogh (Hus)…3-3

See you at “Saturday at the Glen” on June 25—here is some roost to help get you prepared.

2022 SATURDAY AT THE GLEN RACE SCHEDULE

Apr. 2…Spring Series #1
Apr. 23…Spring Series #2
Apr. 30…Spring Series #3
May 7…Spring Series #4
May 14…Spring Series #5 (National track)
June 11…Summer Series #1
June 25…Summer Series #2
July 9…Summer Series #3
July 30…Summer Series #4
Aug. 13…Summer Series #4 (National Track)
Sept. 10…Fall Series #1
Sept. 17…Fall Series #2
Oct. 1…Fall Series #3 (National Track)
Oct. 15…Fall Series #4
Oct. 22…Fall Series #5
Nov.r 12..Winter Series #1
Nov. 19…Winter Series #2
Dec. 3…Winter Series #3
Dec. 10…Winter Series #4 (National Track)

“Saturday at the Glen” motocross will race again on June 25 (and there is always the chance of additional dates being added to the 2022 calendar). Pre-entry is only $30, post entry is $40 on the day of the race. The Glen Helen gate fee is $10 (per person) on race days. You can sign up for the next “Saturday at the Glen” motocross on as late as the Thursday before the next race. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com.