“SATURDAY AT THE GLEN MX:” DODGING THE RAIN & GETTING TO ANAHEIM 2 ON TIME

The Arroyo track is located on a plateau above and to the north of the Glen Helen National track —it dates back to the early 1970s. It is hilly with several steep climbs and plunging downhills. Here, Angel Vargas (77) and Pete Vetrano (37) start the climb to the top of Mt. Whitney. Photo: Jody Weisel

PHOTOS BY MARK RIKER. JON ORTNER & JODY WEISEL (IT TAKES THREE MEN TO DO THE JOB OF ONE WOMAN)

Pasha Afshar jumps the right-hand turn at the end of the pits and chases Jon Ortner up to the top of the next hill, whicg immediately heads back downhill. Photo: Jody Weisel

With ace photographer Debbi Tamietti sidelined by sticking by the side of injured Val Tamietti, MXA scrambled to find photographers who could shoot the “Saturday at the Glen” race. With most of the the MXA guys assigned to the Anaheim 2 Supercross, Jody Weisel  was pressed into duty along with MXA test rider Jon Ortner. But, since they were both racing, there were bound to be big holes in the photo coverage. Luckily, Mark Riker stepped in to cover all the bases. Additionally, ,when local photographer and racer Rich Stuelke got hurt in practice, he gave MXA his camera to use since he was on his way home early.

Jet Bushnell (31) went 5-3 for third in the 250 Novice class. Photo: Jody Weisel

Kayden Weigandt (133) took the win in the 250 Novices ahead of  Hnter Dieterle (133) and Jett Bushnell. Photo: Mark Riker

The “Saturday at the Glen” races had a few issues on race day. First, the TV weather forecasters called for rain on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Luckily, Glen Helen has its own micro-climate and doesn’t always jibe with the rest of SoCal (sometimes worse and sometimes better). The regular racers have always believed that when the forecast is for rain on Saturday morning that it won’t make it to Glen Helen until Saturday afternoon.

Second, just to be ready, Glen Helen’s track crew “rain prepped” the Arroyo track to eliminate as many muddy section as possible. Then, when they saw that it didn’t look like rain in the time frame of the Saturday race, Glen Helen’s John Allen broke out the heavy equipment and reworked the track before practice to make it looser and better.

Third, lots of racers wanted to go to the Anaheim 2 Supercross later in the day. They were in luck because Glen Helens’ Saturday at the Glen races are based on the famous “Saddleback Saturday” races of the 1980s—and one of the main premises of the Saddleback Saturday races, was to get the program done before 2:00 p.m. so the riders could get home in time to wash their bikes and prep them so that could ride again on Sunday. Glen Helen’s Lori Wilson is great at making that happen—without shortening any motos. In fact, this Saturday’s races were over before 2:00 p.m. and anyone who wanted to make it the 40 miles to Anaheim had plenty of time.

When asked if it was harder to race the race or shoot the photo of the race, Jody, who has shot hundredw of Pro races over his career, admitted that lugging heavy cameras up steep hills and making the long trek from one end of the track to the other end over and over again can really whip you. He said, he probably should have taken his boots and knee braces off. Photo: Jon Ortner

THE BIG WINNERS

Sage Powers (776) took the overall victory in the 450 Experts and the Open Experts. Photo: Jon Ortner

Josh Fout (37) won the Over-30 Experts and was third in the Open Experts. Plus, he was going to the Anaheim Supercross  and after  A2 he was driving back to Glen Helen to camp out and race the SRA Grand Prix on Sunday. Photo: Jon Ortner

Shawn Bushnell (25) won the Over-40 Expert class with a 1-1 score and got fifth in the Open Experts. Photo: Jon Ortner

Riley Morgan (180) swept both motos of the 250 Intermediate class. Photo: Jon Ortner

Luther French (21) won the Over-60 Expert class in front of Ron Shuler and Aussie Warren Strange. Photo: Jon Ortner

Jon Ortner (10N) went 4-4 for fourth in the Over-60 Experts. Photo: Mark Riker

Dave Eropkin took the Over-65 Expert victory with Mike Monaghan breathing down his neck. Photo: Jody Weisel

Richard Albach (65) made a clean four-moto sweep in the Over-40 Intermediates and Open Intermedaitae. Photo: Jon Ortner

Bode Bushnell (74) chases Ryan Pekarett (59) down a steep drop-off. Photo: Mark Riker

Mark Sandzimier (50) went 4-2 in the Over-60 Intermediates for third overall 3-3. Photo: Mark Riker

Michelle Horton (1) is about to get a kick in the pants on her way to a 9-9 day in the Over-6o Experts.  Photo: Mark Riker

Angel Vargas (77) was 5th in the Over-30 Novice class and 6th in the Over-50 Novice class. He skipped the Over-40 Novices because they were in gate in front of him when he was in the Over-30 Novices. Photo: Jody Weisel

Randy Skinner (95) is still suffering side effects of the concussion he suffered several months ago—so he only raced one moto. Photo: Jody Weisel

Jason Clements  (911) went 2-2 in the Over-40 Intermediate class.. Photo: Jon Ortner

Gage Villopoto (111) went in the 50cc Pee-Wee class.. Gage also won the 7-to-8 year old 50cc Pee-Wee class. Photo: Mark Riker.
 Brax Villopoto (100) went 2-2 in the 50c Pee-Wee class. Photo: Mark Riker.

Braeker Baggett (4) went 5-4 in the 50cc Pee-Wee class. Photo: Mark Riker

2024 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” RACE SCHEDULE

Josh Fout at speed. Photo: Jon Ortner

If you are looking for a racing organization that offers long motos, low cost, very consistent race schedule and a true-to-life outdoor motocross track—this is it. “Saturday at the Glen” motocross will be racing on  February 1,d February 8,  and February 22,2025. Pre-entry is only $30 ($25 for minis). Post entry is $40 ($30 for minis) on the day of the race. The Gate fee is $10 (per person). You can sign up for the next “Saturday at the Glen” motocross as late as the Friday before the race (or just show up in person on race day). For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

2025 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” SCHEDULE
Jan. 18…National track
Jan. 25…Arroyo track
Feb. 1…National track
Feb. 8…Arroyo track
Feb. 22…National track
Mar. 8..Arroyo track
Mar. 22…Arroyo track
Apr. 12…Arroyo track
Apr. 26…Arroyo track
May 31…National track
Jun. 21…Arroyo track
Jun. 28…National track
Jul. 19…National track
Aug. 2…Arroyo track
Aug. 9…National track
Aug. 23…National track
Sept. 13…Arroyo track
Sept. 20…National track
Oct. 4…Arroyo track
Oct. 25…National track
Nov.15…Arroyo trac
Nov. 22…National track
Dec.7…National track
Dec. 21…National track