REM GLEN HELEN RACE REPORT: THE WORLD COMES TO RACE

On Feb 9, 2015 Last updated Feb 10, 2015

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Photos by Debbi Tamietti & Chris Alamangos

Takahara Akito and his Japanese compatriots were joined by Brits, Swedes, Aussies and Dutchmen on a sunny 80 degree February day at Glen Helen.

SoCal has 10 different race tracks, all unique in their design intent and most of them packed to the gills when they are open for riding. Glen Helen may be the most famous of them, but it is only open on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (and most of the Saturday and Sunday practice days are displaced by races on both the National track and the REM track. One constant in all of this is, that if you want to race every weekend (or at the very least 40 weekends out of the year), REM is the place to be. It has a unique mix of riders, but is best known as a refuge for former Saddleback and Indians Dunes riders from the 1970s and 1980. You can’t throw a stick at REM without hitting an AMA Hall of Fame member, former AMA National number or a guy that you looked up to when you were a kid (even if you are 45 now). It is not popular with the “bro crowd,” which is why it is so popular with the Over-40, Over-50 and Over-60 racers.

This steep uphill is covered with sand and starts with a hard landing from the jump at its base. Cole Tompkins does it as well as possible, while the guy in front of him, not so much.

REM is still the go-to destination for foreign riders, who come to SoCal to enjoy the warm weather and whip themselves into shape before heading home for their eventual summer. And, REM will whip you into shape. They offer long motos on a rough track with the intent of getting you out of the park early enough to prep your bike for Sunday’s races.

Jeff Scott (452) gets a little wheel hop as he exits REM’s stadium portion and heads out back.

But most of all, REM is down home motocross. Not the motorhome conventions that passes for amateur races in modern times. Just a bunch of good old guys and their kids kicking back in the pits, watching their buddies race and helping fellow racers in need.

Jerry Black won the Over-50 Expert class afer first moto winner Chris Cole went 1-11 and second moto winner Phil Dowell went 12-1. Black’s 3-2 was the best of the rest.

This week’s winner were:

450 Pro — Preston Tilford.
250 Pro — Daiki Kamakura.
Vet Pro — Tony Amaradio.

Jim Holley is helping a group of Japanese riders so they can race and learn the American way of motocross. This is Masaki Suzuki.

450 Intermediate — Kim Nilsson.
250 Intermediate — Willy Simons, Jr.
Over-40 Expert — Eddie Davis
Over-40 Intermediate — Ralf Schmidt.
Over-40 Novice — Kris Goolsby.
Over-50 Elite — Willy Simons, Sr.
Over-50 Expert — Jerry Black.
Over-50 Intermediate — Mike Little.
Over-50 Novice — Lonnie Paschal.
Over-60 Expert — Jim Latendresse.
Over-60 Intermediate — John Huegel.
Over-60 Novice — Rich Stuelke.

Straight out of Holland, Ralf Schmidt has become are REM regular. The new TM importer won the Over-40 Intermediate class on a 2015 TM 125MX.

Over-50 Elite — Willy Simons, Sr.
Over-50 Expert — Jerry Black.
Over-50 Intermediate — Mike Little.
Over-50 Novice — Lonnie Paschal.

This is the Pro pack. Kaisei Nishigaki (4) leads in front of Daiki Kamakura (0) and Masaki Suzuki (60). In the background is Ben Meza (X557), Joey Pascarella (19), Kim Nilsson (233) and Takahara Akito (12). Front runners Preston Tilford, Arik Swan and Tony Amaradio are long gone.