REM GLEN HELEN MOTOCROSS RACE REPORT: THE PLACE TO RACE IN SOCAL
Photos by Dan Alamangos and Debbi Tamietti
Even though it is still only March, the REM motocross racers have already logged 11 races in the first three months of 2014—before the season is done in late December they will race 40 times. Obviously these menget to race more than almost anyone in America—and they get to race against the same competition every week. Plus, REM has become the must-do race for foreign riders who want to come to California to enjoy the SoCal lifestyle.
Starting with the race on May 5, 2014, REM will start its yearly, “Get Ready For The Nationals” race program. It is a six-race schedule that offers the Pro classes long 30-minute plus two lap motos. It is REM’s way of helping aspiring AMA Pros get ready for the opening AMA National of the year on May 24. All the other classes, save for the few that get combined into the second gate of the Pro race, will run 20-minute motos.
This week’s 450 Pro race was won by Justin Jones. Jones was able to build up big enough leads that he had time to throw in two crashes in the second moto and still win. Tim Beatty was second, Joseph Reynolds third, Wesley Parker fourth, Broc Armbruster fifth, Marcus Ovegaard sixth, Klint Stapes seventh and Austin Meyers eighth.
Rikard Hansson took 250 Pro honor with a 1-1 in front of Kristoffer Palm’s 5-2, Jesse Lundin’s 4-3 and Cole Shondeck’s 2-8.
REM has a unique structure for its Over-50 class. They have the conventional Over-50 Novices, Over-50 Intermediates and Over-50 Experts, but they were forced to introduce an Over-50 Elite class when too many Over-50 Experts began showing up. The Elite class was developed to give the fastest of the 50-year-old riders a faster group to race against.
Over-50 Elite: This week the Over-50 class was won by Willy Simons, after Doug Dubach won the first moto and Jon Ortner won the second. Simons 2-2 bested Chuck Sun’s 5-3, Jon Ortner’s 8-1 and Andy Kirker’s 7-4. Bob Weber and Randell Fout crashed out in the first turn (with Randel breaking his shoulder blade bad enough to require surgery). Troy Lee and Doug Dubach also had issues with the second moto.
Over-50 Expert: With the fastest Over-50 Experts bumped up to the Elite class, there were more chances to win in the Over-50 Experts, but not for long. The vacuum left after moving riders up to the Elite class was quickly filled by former Pro racers Will Harper, Val Tamietti, Dave Eropkin, Mike Monaghan and others. This week Val Tamietti, and his YZ250 two-stroke, were too much for a top ten of Bryan Friday (3-2), Dave Eropkin (4-3), Mike Monaghan (5-4), Greg Carter (6-6), Andy James (2-10), Randy Skinner (9-5), Joe Sutter (8-7), Phil Dowell (7-8) and Rick Jackson (11-9).
THE SONS OF A GUN
REM is famous for it’s large number of Over-40, Over-50 and Over-60 racers, but people forget that many of these riders bring their kids out to race. Here are a few of the sons at REM this weekend.
Max Lee: Son of former Pro Circuit racer and designer Troy Lee. Max was second in the 85 Experts.
Carter Dubach: Son of former AMA Supercross winner and multi-time World Vet Champion Doug Dubach. Carter won the first moto of the 65 class.
Rikard Hansson: Son of two-time World Enduro Champion and GP rider Peter Hansson. Rikard won the 250 Pro class.
Jimmy O’Neal: Son of former Pro and O’Neal USA scion Jim O’Neal. Jimmy won the 450 Intermediates.
Willy Simons Jr: Son of Indian Dunes icon Willy Simons. Will Jr. won the 250 Intermediate class.
REM does not race next weekend, March 29, but returns to action on April 5. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com.
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