“SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” RACE REPORT: BATTLES GALORE & THE ROCK PATROL

Dominic Desimone (190) has a win streak going in the 450 Pro class at Saturday at the Glen. He is in training for the Pala National on May 24. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

PHOTOS BY DEBBI TAMIETTI, JON ORTNER & JODY WEISEL

Sean Lipanovich (505) won the first moto of the 450 Pros, but ended up tied with Daomici Desimone with a 1-2 to a 2-1. Photo: Debbi Tamietti.

When the racers woke up on Saturday morning that were greeted by a rare sight—sunshine. It was cold, for SoCal, but it wasn’t cloudy or gloomy. It had rained at Glen Helen for three straight days, but had conveniently stopped on Friday so that the track crew could get all the racetracks prepped for a big weekend of racing. Glen Helen had scheduled three different races on Saturday and it made for a busy day for the track crew. But, the rain had been great for the dirt and the tracks were primo.

Four-time 250 National Champion (1971-1974) Gary Jones (88), now 73 years old, is the only rider to have won the Over-30 World Vet Championship, Over-40 World Vet Championship, Over-50 World Vet Championship, Over-60 World Vet Championship and the Over-70 World Vet Championship. Thus, it’s not surprising that he won the Over-70 class at “Saturday at the Glen.” Photo: Debbi Tamietti.

MXA’s Debbi Tamietti is back in action with her camera, and got a little help from Jon Ortner and Jody Weisel to chronicle the day’s races.. The three largest classes of the day were the 250 Novices, Vet Novices and Pasha’s Adult-Only Mini class. The big winners on the day were Cash Flicker (250 Novice), Jonathan Augusta (Over-30 Novice) and Pasha Afshar (Adult-Only Mini class). As always the focus was on the premier Expert classes with Dominic Desimone (450 Expert), Paul Krause (Over-60 Expert), Alan Julien (Over-50 Expert) and Bob Rutten (Over 65 Experts).

Jon Ortner (10) and Paul Krause had two momentous battles in the Over-60 Expert class. Ortner won the first moto and Krause won the second moto. Paul’s 2-1 beat Ortner’s 1-2. Krause also got second overall in the Over-50 Experts. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

It may sound strange, but in spite of the mis-week rain, the Arroyo track was in close to perfect condition. The rain never puddled anywhere on the racetrack and the constant flow of bikes kept the track in great condition. It hasn’t hurt that the previous two months of rain (11.75 inches) has turned a large portion of the Arroyo track into a sand track.

Mike Monaghan  (34) was running fourth in the Over-65 Experts when he jumped too high, too far, hit too hard and got run over by the fifth place guy. Amazingly, he walked away and went to the emergency room once the got home—where they said that his double neck brace strategy saved him from serious injury. Photo: Jody Weisel

Mike Monaghan (right) crashed into the cliff behind him and  was then run over by Jim Naegle (41). They both got up, but skipped moto two—the race was red flagged. That is Dan Alamangos behind the tree to the left. He wasn’t in the crash, but pulled over to render aid.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Not every MXA helmet makes it through the season, but normally they make it through March. This is Mike Monaghan’s 6D helmet. Guess what? No concussion. Photo: Jon Ortner

Pasha Afshar (L7) promoted an Adult-Only Mini class and had the poor taste to win it with this kind of style. His 1-2 put him at front of a top five of Robert Pocius (3-1), Jim Swartwout (5-3), Michael Bierman (6-4) and Steve Mickie (8-5).

Australian Dan Alamangos (86) was assigned to test MXA’s 2025 Honda CRF150 four-stroke. Believe it or not the Honda CRF150 is still available at Honda dealers 18 years after it was first introduced back in 2007. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Bob Rutten (83) swept both moto of the Over-65 Expert class on his well used KTM 450SXF Factory Edition, but he has a 2025 KTM 450SXF on order back
home in Utah. Photo: Debbi Tametti

 

The “rock patrol” is very hard work, but luckily people are willing to climb Glen Helen’s hills to pick up any rocks that are big enough to take a rider down.

You don’t expect snow capped peaks on the horizon at Glen Helen, but all it takes is a rainy winter, like this year, to turn the Arroyo first turn into a scenic wonderland.

Hollywood stuntman Mic Rodgers (115) is old enough to race in the Over-70 Expert class, but with Gary Jones (96) driving all the 70 year olds away, Mic moved down to the Over-65 Intermediates where there were more racers. He went 4-6.

This Saturday’s race was a make-up race for one that was rained-out back in February, but the most interesting things about this photo is that Jody Weisel is wearing long pants for the first time in memory and Lovely Louella made him baby-sit her dog Alfie—who loves being at the races. In this photo you can tell how steeep the Mt. Saint Helen downhill really is. Photo: Jon Ortner

Mark Crosby (45) is still trying out his broken hand, so, he lets the pack go and then chases after them—which is why he wasn’t caught up in the Mike Monaghan crash which ended up piling up seven bikes. Marc went 5-4 after the red flag in the Over-65 Intermediates.

Mike Jasper (805) went 1-2 in the Over-40 Novice class, but was edged out by Ole Henden’s 2-1. Photo: Jon Ortner

Nate Rauba (16) finished third in the Over-60 Novice class with a 2-4 behind Scott Hyde (1-1) and Russell Brown (3-2). Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Tyler Henden (416) went 2-2 in the 450 Beginner class. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

John McFadden (777), didn’t just win both motos of the 7-to-8 year old Pee-Wee class, but he styled while doing it.

River Caputo (46) also had style for miles with a 3-3 in the 7-to-8 year old Pee-Wee class. 

Jon Ortner (10) lives in Santa Barbara, so he left his house while it was still dark outside to make the 160 mile drive, but got caught in a giant traffic jam on his way. He missed practice and missed the first motos of the Over-50 Experts and the Over-60 Experts. But,  when the red flag came out for a restart for the Over-60 Experts he was able to get a second chance. Without any practice, Jon won the the first moto defeating Paul Krause, who he raced all year long in the NGPC series. When the second moto rolled around and Jon knew where the track went, Paul Krause won the moto and the overall. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

2024 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” SCHEDULE

If you are looking for a racing oganization that offers long motos, low cost and very consistent race schedule—this is it. “Saturday at the Glen” motocross will race again on March 22, April 20, April 12 and April 26. 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 next race (or just show up in person on race day). For more info go to www.glenhelen.com