Glen Helen National: Friday Report

On Sep 7, 2007

Friday was relatively quiet day at Glen Helen?.except for a full day of amateur racing that followed more of the same on Wednesday. The track was in great shape and with temperatures almost thirty degrees cooler than the previous week it was perfect for racing. Here’s some of what we saw in the run-up to the final AMA National MX race of 2007.

Besides running his flat track series, former AMA Grand National champion Gene Romero & star of “On Any Sunday” also runs the concessions at the Glen Helen National. Okay, how many people can’t think of Gene Romero and not remember his famous line about either finishing third or visiting him in the hospital? He still knows the line, “I dig carnations man!”ÿ

The Vet Experts blast through the notoriously fast Talladega first turn with MXA test rider Willy Musgrave (422) battling with ÿformer 125 Supercross champ Willie Suratt (491) for the lead. Both riders would return for more action later in the day?..

Besides racing two classes (Over 30 & Over 40) Willy returned to the line to help his son & aspiring MXA test riderÿBilly get ready for his race. On Saturday both father and son would be racing their go-karts.

Willie Suratt would head back to the gate to help his up and coming son in the mini race. Both fathers represent part of the age old familyÿdynamic that helps makes the sport of motocross as great as it is.

Yet another impressive example of the father/son duo at work was up & coming Yamaha rider Ben LeMay and his dad who came down from Alaska to watch his 16 year lay waste to both the 250 and 450 Pro-Am races. Look for an interview with Ben on the next MXA Mid-Week Report.

The modern world may have gone four stroke, but that doesn’t stop a few Vet riders from hauling out their old two stroke bikes to fill the air with pre-mix. Yes, even the best Pro riders used to actually race bikes like this KX500.

The amateur riders could rest easier knowing that Dr. Corbett from the nearby Yorba Linda Hospital was on hand with his massive medical truck that has a price tag of close to $250,000.

Part of what resides inside the equipment laden truck is a portable X-ray machine. Dr. Corbett can save valuable time by sending the X-rays to the supporting hospital from the truck.

The Monster Energy Crossover Challenge held its first race of the year at Hangtown. Round two ran at Glen Helen and who else but celebrated snowboarded/X-Games star and recluse Shaun Palmer showed up to do battle aboard his two stroke Honda CR250. Palmer grabbed the holeshot and ran away with the first moto proving he still has some speed in his aged bones. Brock Sellards was racing the celerity race aboard Ryan Villopoto’s KX450F.

Twenty years or so later, extreme skier Glen Plake still refuses to hang up his Mohawk. Plake looked out of place on the track, but he still hung in their through the sandy whoops which were claiming quite a few riders?.just wait until Sunday.