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Photos by Debbi Tamietti, Randel Fout & Dan Alamangos

Justin Jones (42) carves an elliptical arc through Glen Helen’s decomposed granite. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

When the TV weatherman keeps telling people that it is going to be “Africa hot” over the weekend, you wouldn’t expect anyone to show up at a race track, dress in multiple layers of gear and hammer out laps in 104 degree weather. But, REM did just that at their “Last 100 Degree Race of 2014” event. Obviously, some racers did play it safe, while others drove 30 miles away to sit in blazing hot bleachers at the Red Bull Straight Rhythm event in Pomona.

Although Ryan Honstein (32) would end up second overall in the 450 Pro class, he wouldn’t have done as well in the Vet Pro class as Tony Amaradio (130) and Dennis Stapleton (48) get ready to sandwich him. Photo: Randel Fout

But the regulars were in attendance at REM, and promoters Frank and Myra Thomason sped up the program to help get their racers out of Glen Helen before the afternoon heat hit the track. By combining classes and moving from race to race quickly, the REM gang was able to get out of Dodge before 2:00 p.m. (and they still got in two long motos for every class).

MXA’s Dennis Stapleton (42) flew in the night before the REM race from Germany. Before that he had been to the MXDN in Latvia and spent a week in Bulgaria. Note MXA’s suspension settings written on the rear fender. Photo: Randell Fout

Of course all the major players showed up — hot or not! Here were the biggest classes and closest races.

450 Pro: Justin Jones (42) is still in training mode for the ISDE in Argentina next month. He is working on his tire changing skills and cross-country speed, but hasn’t given up on racing motocross. Jones was untouchable in the Pro race.

Tristan Miller (351) won the 250 Intermediate class. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

250 Intermediate: Equally dominant in the 250 Intermediate class was Tristan Miller (351). He quickly pulled away from his second-wave mates and worked his way into the back of the first-wave Pro ranks. Miller went 1-1, while Nicolas Rodriquez and Matt Bynum rounded out the top three.

Billy Mercier (501) was third overall in the Vet Pro class. Here he passes third place in the Over-40 Intermediates David Cincotta. Photo: Randel Fout

Over-40 Intermediate: Australian Dan Alamangos won the Over-40 Intermediates for the second week in a row — and given that Dan will turn 50 before the REM Octobercross race on October 25 —he’ll be leaving the 40 class with a bang. The top three was filled out by Ron Shuler (2-2) and David Cincotta (3-3).

Carson Mumford used his Big Wheel to win the 250 Novice class. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

250 Novice: Carson Mumford (122) swept both motos of the 250 Novice class, ending the winning streak of Cole Tompkins (133).  Evan Woolsey was third with a 4-3.

If REM had an Over-70 class Alan Olson would have won it. Olson came out of retirement a couple weeks ago to get ready for the 2014 World Vet Championship — where they do have an Over-70 class. He has already won the Over-40, Over-50 and Over-60 Championships. Photo: Dan Alamangos

Over-40 Novice: Ron Mowry took his second straight win in the Over-40 Novices in front of a top five of Josh Heckman, Gavin Antill, Jason Goss and John Specht.

Greg Flanagan (44) is another rider getting ready for a big race — this time it is Day in the Dirt. Photo: Dan Alamangos

Over-40 Expert: Terry Cook swept both motos of the Over-40 Experts in front of Ian Fitz-Gibbon and Greg Flanagan.

Mark Hall (47) pursues Jeff Fahy (2) in the Over-50 Expert class. They ended up sixth (Fahy) and seventh (Hall). Photo: Dan Alamangos

Over-50 Novice: Robert Pocius (153) is making hay while the sun shines. Pocius has been on a super-streak for the last eight races—and while he knows that he will soon be moved to the Over-50 Intermediate class, he’s enjoying his win streak while he can. Mike Hillion (2-2) was second, Kent Reed (3-3) third, Chuck Cook (6-4) fourth and Shawn Khacherian (5-5) fifth.

Luther French (2) swept both motos of the Over-50 Expert class. Photo: Dan Alamangos

Over-50 Expert: In what is the most competitive class at REM, the Over-50 Experts were won by Luther French in front of a top five of Val Tamietti, Randy Skinner, Dave Eropkin and Phil Dowell.

Jody Weisel (46) leads the Over-60 Expert class in front of eventual winner Ken Ehlers (103). Photo: Dan Alamangos

Over-60 Expert: The biggest class of the day was the Over-60s. Ken Ehlers (1-1) took the win in front of a top five of T.V. Holmes (2-2), Phil Cruz (4-3), Alan Olson (3-4) and Jody Weisel (7-5).

Ken Ehler (103) would win both Over-60 Expert motos in front of T.V. Holmes and Phil Cruz. Photo: Dan Alamangos

Jon Ortner (10) ski jumps over the ski jump on his way to the Over-50 Elite victory. Photo: Dan Alamangos

Other notables: Among the days winners were — Jon Ortner (Over-50 Elite), David Faux (Vet Intermediates), Brandon Reid (450 Novice), Mitch Evans (Over-60 Novice), Chris Cole (Over-50 Intermediate), Connor Styers (65cc), Alexandra Ruesga (85 Beginner) and Zack Randolph (250 Beginner).

Cole Tompkins (133) had his win streak snapped in the 250 Novice class. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

REM does not race next weekend (October 11) to make way for the “24 Hours of Glen Helen” or the following weekend (October 18) because of the Old Timer’s International National. REM returns on October 25 for the 14th Annual Octobercross. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com

 

OCTOBERCROSS COMING ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25