“SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” RACE REPORT: CONQUERING THE BADDEST TRACK IN ALL THE LAND

Well, at least you can’t say that they didn’t warn you. Photo: Jody Weisel

PHOTOS BY MARK RIKER & JODY WEISEL

It is rumored that ace motocross photographer Debbi Tamietti might be able to make guest appearance at the February 8 “Saturday at the Glen” motocross, but only for a short time as her injured husband and former CMC and Glen Helen Number One rider, Val Tamietti, will finally be released from the Casa Colima Rehabilitation Center  this week. He is still confined to a wheelchair while his broken pelvis heals, but at least, he will be able to be at home. During his hospital stay Debbi and daughter Tawny were constantly by his side. But Debbi hopes to able able to lock Val in closet long enough to come out to Glen Helen to visit all of her friends.

If you don’t get out the banked Talladega first turn near the front of the pack, the second turn on the Glen Helen National track is the best opportunity to make up lost time. Here, Jax Krahenbuhl (125), Miguel Anderson (53) and Jason Klements (911) jockey for the best rut leading up the Shoei uphill. Photo: Jody Weisel

MXA had to scramble to get photographers to shoot the “Saturday at the Glen” races in Debbi’s absence, but with the MXA wrecking crew having to cover the AMA Superceoss series, most of the MXA guys were busy on Saturdays.In the first week Jon Ortner, Dan Alamangos were pressed into duty to squeeze out some photos between their races. But at Anaheim 2 Dan Alamangos had to be at the “Legend and Heroes” display and Jon Ortner was busy racing the NGPC  cross-country series. Luckily, Mark Riker stepped in to help Jody and they have been the photo crew at the last couple rounds.

This is the first part of the Shoei uphill, the really steep part kicks up just around the right-hand bend. If you do it right, you’ll get the first shot at the Mt. Saint Helen downhill. Photo: Jody Weisel

The Mt. Saint Helen downhill has a vertical drop of 220 feet, with the steepest part at the top and the roughest section at the bottom. This photo was shot early in the day before the braking bumps had formed. Photo: Mark Riker

After you negotiate the wide 180-degree sweeper at the bottom of Mt. Saint Helen, there is a curving uphill climb that leads you to a tight right-hand drop-off. Congratulations! You have navigated the first six turns of a lap of Glen Helen and only have 12 turns to go to get back to the Talladega first turn. Good luck! Photo: Jody Weisel

SoCal has one enduring weather feature that is a blessing in the Summer and curse in the winter “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.

Former TM USA importer Ralf Schmidt (73) flew to the USA to bring MXA a Fantic XX300 two-stroke to test, but MXA had to delay the first day of testing because of conflicting races and a surprise injury to MXA ‘s Trevor Nelson. So, Ralf was enlisted to race the Fantic XX300 and compare it back-to-back against MXA’s GasGas MC300 at Glen Helen. Photo: Jody Weisel

Ralf Schmidt (13) on the  2025 GasGas MC300 two-stroke. (Photo: Mark Riker)

As for Trevor, the whole gang of MXA test riders and friends went trail riding in the desert mid-week to take advantage of a recent rain storm that made the desert almost perfect. Unfortunately, Trevor got separated from the 10-rider group, without them realizing that he wasn’t with them anymore (he had gone off to explore a different trail). On his way back to join the group, Trevor was hit by a car on a desert dirt road. He ended up in the hospital with a concussion and lots of bruises. His Honda CRF450RX took the brunt of the collision. Trevor is okay, but MXA told him to take time off and they would reschedule any important photo shoots for later. Trevor joins MXA’s Luc Deley (dislocated elbow), Randy Skinner (concussion), Marc Crosby (broken hand) and Ernie Becker (Blood clots) on the injured reserve list

You have to love the camo FXR gear, but it does blend in a little too well, especially for a guy who doesn’t have numbers on his bike and has taped over the name on the back of his jersey. Photo: Jody Weisel

Stephan Moore (45) went 1-3 in the Over-50 Intermediate class. Photo: Jody Weisel

Seen from the top of the Talladega first turn, the sandy inner loop connects the riders from the front straight to the Log Cabin jump and back onto the start straight. Photo: Jody Weisel

While you’re standing on top of Talladega, you can look to the right and see one of Pro Circuit’s two Supercross tracks at Glen Helen. Photo: Jody Weisel

Pete Murray (7) went 1-1 in his first-ever Over-65 Expert class race, while Scalvini pipe importer Pete Vetrano (37) admires his style. Photo: Mark Riker

Ame’ Grips Bob Rutten (83) went 4-2 for third in the Over-65 Expert class. He fell in moto one which accounts for the 4th. Photo: Mark Riker

Mike Monaghan (34) went 3-4 in the Over-65 Experts for fourth overall. Photo: Mark Riker

Lachy Roche (640) took the victory in the 250 Expert class with a 1-1. Photo: Jody Weisel

Kawasaki-mounted Ryotor Kimura (52) put together a 2-2 in the 250 Expert class.  Photo: Mark Riker

Braden Herr (23) went 4-2 for second overall in the 250 Intermwdiate class. Photo: Mark Riker

Mic Rodger (115) breaks out his Dirt Diggers MC gear for its annual airing out at speed. Photo: Mark Riker

The 65cc class launches off the line. Photo: Mark Riker

It is a long way to the Talladega first turn on a 65, but Talon Hinson (149), Tanner Loughran (914), Brayden Hoyle (14), Reagan Heighton (8) and Ryder Paul (411) get there in a dead heat. Photo: Jody Weisel

Riser Ramsey-Reutgen (567) went 3-3 in the 5-to-8-year old Pee-Wee class. Photo: Mark Riker

Believe it or not, but Honda still offers the CRF150 four-stroke as an alternative in the 85cc minicycle classes. However,  in the big amateur races the CRF150 is limited to the SuperMini class. At “Saturday at the Glen” they can run with the 85cc two-strokes. Koah Hororwitz (101) went 7-8 for seventh overall. Photo: Mark Riker

Sage Powers (776) swept both motos of the 450 Expert class.  Photo: Mark Riker

Sean Lipanovich (505) was second overall with a 2-2 in the 450 Experts. Photo: Mark Riker

R.J. Warda’s 3-8 put him in fifth place behind Powers, Lipanovich, Max Lewis and James Hutcheson. Photo: Mark Riker

Cody Brownfield (24) struggled in the 450 Expert class, but came back later to go 4-2 in the Open Expert class for second overall. Photo: Mark Riker.

2024 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” RACE SCHEDULE

Damian Collier (207), the son of Sean Collier, went 2-2 in the 450 Intermediate class on a Stark. Photo: Mark Riker

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 8,  February 22 and March 8, 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