REM Report:Temps & Race Action Flare

On Jul 30, 2008

REM Glen Helen: Lanza, Yorks, Keeney, Amaradio and LaPaglia duel

Racing at REM is always hot and intense, especially when the temperature gets over 100 degrees

Michael LaPaglia is trying to get ready to race the last few AMA Nationals. He is coming back from injury and, like most SoCal pros, is using REM’s long moto to try and get back in shape. Michael’s problem is that over the last two weekends his bike has failed to finish three of four motos.

Ricky York finished 2nd overall in the Pro class.

This weekend was no different than last week. LaPaglia dropped out of moto one with bike problems. Meanwhile Jamie Lanza (317), Ricky Yorks (703), Justin Keeney (252) and Broc Armbruster (197) got a lucky break when Tony Amaradio’s CRF450 blew up in moto two–after he had easily won moto one. Tony did say before the day started that he had just rebuilt the engine himself.

Lanza took the win with a 2-1 over Yorks’ 3-3.

In the Novice ranks: Chris Gaumer went 1-1 in the 450 Novices in front of top five Conner Stouff, Ryan D’Errico, Mark Taylor and Thomas Raymond.

Chris Weedon had his third straight 1-1 weekend in the Vet Novices in front of Mike Gee (2-3), Chris Alamangos (who crashed four times on the way to a 6-2 day), Gary Taylor (back on his old bike after his new one blew up last week) and David Nava.

Over-40 Novice fell to Todd Wiseman, although he had his hands full with Fred Heacock and Blake Fair.

Bobby Gimenez’s 3-1 was the best score in a three-way tie for the 250 Novice victory. Jason Stone got second with a 2-2, while Dallas Leedom got third with a 1-3.

Ryan Surratt, son of former 125 West Supercross Champion Willy Surratt, took the 85 Novice win with Cody Whitsett, Nigel Crosby, Troy Lee and Tanner Scogin rounding out the top five.

In the Over-50 Novices, Paul Crouch put together a dominating 1-1 day that left Greg Whitfield, Brian Martin, John Tookey and Chuck Weedon battling for the rest of the top five spots

THE BEST RACE OF THE DAY

YamahaÿOff-RoadÿPR Directorÿ(and former MXA test rider) Tim Olson and Yamaha test rider (and part-time airline pilot) Joe Melton engaged in a two-moto war on matching 2009 YZ450F’s to see who had bragging rights back at the factory. Olson won the first moto easily, although Melton, who was at REM to prep for his trip to Loretta Lynn’s, stayed in contact. In the second moto, Olson ran away with the first half of the moto, but the reality of the 101-degree temperatures and Melton’s constant pressure caused him to crack. “Meltdown” Melton didn’t melt.

In case you couldn’t tell, the Alamangos brothers hail from down-under.

The worst crash of the day went to Dan Alamangos, of the crazy Aussie brother act. Dan crashed in the exact same place that he crashed last week (only this time, Randy Skinner wasn’t there to launch over his bike–because Skinner got hurt in that crash). This time Dan Alamangos got his bell rung and pulled off. In his first moto Dan got a rock stuck in his chain within ten feet of the checkered flag, pitching him over the bars and costing him four places.

Luca Nastrini (56), John Minert (94), Ryan Cowell (686) and Nick Forrest jockey for position around one of REM’s corners.

REM races again at Glen Helen on Saturday. Practice starts at 9:00 (so you can sleep in a little longer than a normal race). For more info, Click Here.