THE FIRST “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” MOTOCROSS RACE SINCE THE WINDS SUBSIDED (UPDATED)

THE FIRST 2025 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” RACE REPORT

MXA’s Josh Fout (37) opens up a big lead in the Over-30 Expert class in the rush to the Talladega first turn on MXA’s 2025 Kawasaki KX450SR . Photo: Mark Riker

PHOTOS BY JODY WEISEL & MARK RIKER

Cody Brownfield (24) gets the drop on Bill Sauro (311)  from the other side of the start. Cody would end up fourth in the Open Expert class and  second in the 450 Pros, while Bill would sweep both motos of the Over-50 Expert class. Photo: Jody Weisel

“Saturday at the Glen” had not raced since December 21 (four days before Christmas). With the riders forced into a four-week sabbatical—made up mostly of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, plus, a break for the Anaheim Supercross.  However,  the remainder of the four-week break was caused by incredible windstorms, which not only caused incredible grief in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena and large swatches of the Valley, but burned thousands homes. Many belonging to members of SoCal’s motocross community—including Zapata Espinoza’s home.

These are the ruts at the bottom of the Mt. Saint Helen downhill during practice. The racers had multiple choices; choose one of the three ruts or sweep to the outside line and go the long way around. The ruts were the fast line, but got so deep late in the day that lots of racers elected to take the long way. Photo: Jody Weisel

Although Glen Helen was spared the fires because it is farther east than where 150,000 people were evacuated, it wasn’t spared the winds. With gusts close at 70 mph, the track was not only closed, but the county turned off the electricity to lessen the chance of power lines blowing over and causing even more fires. Without electricity, Glen Helen’s pumps didn’t work to pump water up to the water tanks on the hills. The winds finally died down at Glen Helen on January 15—the day of MXA’s previously cancelled “Annual Ride Day. “And by January 18, the first “Saturday at the Glen ” race since December 21 went off without a hitch..

The sprint to the first turn is always followed by a land rush to get through the first uphill turn. Rickard Albach (65) leads with Eric Rizzo (274), Dylan Bennett (319), Joel Licon (289) and Ricky Richards (45) trying to close the gap. Photo: Jody Weisel

MXA’s amazing photographer Debbi Tamietti couldn’t come to the race this weekend because she is busy taking care of husband Val Tamietti, who suffered injuries in a practice crash during the New Year’s break. She not only spent every day at the hospital with Val, but had to take over running the family fence company. Val is currently in rehab at nationally known rehabilitation center Casa Colina in Pomona, California, where he is recovering from a broken pelvis, lacerated bladder and head injury. He will be released in three weeks and finish his recovery at home.

Mark Riker and Jody Weisel were pressed into service to shoot the photos for this race report.

Sean Lipanovich (505) won the 450 Pro class with a 1-1 day. Photo: Mark Riker

Josh Fout (37) would win the Over-30 Expert class with a 1-1 and lead the Open Expert class until colliding with a lapper to go 3-1 in the Open  Expert class. Dylan Bennett (319) took the Over-30 Intermediate victory. Photo: Jody Weisel

Eric Rizzo (274) finished behind Josh Fout in the Over-30 Experts and took the win in the Open Expert class after Fout fell. Photo: Jody Weisel

Bill Sauro (311) won the Over-50 Expert class with a 1-1 score to pick up where he left off at the last 2024 race. Photo: Jody Weisel

Polish rider Arek Kruk (79) was third in the Over-50 Experts on his Stark with a 2-3. William Bandy (77X) never heard him coming. Photo: Mark Riker

Bob Rutten came down from New Harmony, Utah, to go 1-1 in the Over-65 Expert class., then he turned around and drove the 375 miles home. Photo: Jody Weisel

Believe it or not, Steve Chandler (306) also lives in New Harmony, Utah, and makes the same drive for every “Saturday at the Glen” race. No, they do not carpool together. Photo: Jody Weisel

Mike Monaghan (34) is on a mission to win the Over-65 Expert class on his Tony DiStefano-sponsored YZ125. It is almost impossible for a 125 to beat a field of 450s on Glen Helen’s long, fast and steep layout, but this Saturday Mike came the closest he has ever come with a 2-2. Photo: Jody Weisel

Australian Dan Alamangos (95) raced MXA’s 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage Edition. Yes, it does look like a Yamaha. Photo: Mark Riker

Arnie Davis (119) came from Bullhead City, Arizona, to go 3-3 in the Over-65 Experts. Photo: Jody Weisel

Nate Rauba (16) finished second overall in the Over-60 Novices, but wasn’t that far behind Over-60 Novice winner Scott Hyde (521). Photo: Jody Weisel

Carmen Cafro (75) went 4-5 for 4th in the Over-60 Novices. Photo: Jody Weisel

The Mt. Saint Helen downhill has an elevation change of 220-feet from top to bottom. These riders are halfway to the bottom—except for the ones that are just making the turn at the top. Photo: Jody Weisel

Howard Tresville (7) took his Suzuki RM250 to fifth in the Over-50 Novice class and came back to race it again in the Over-65 Novices, where he went 5-7 for seventh. Here, third place in the Over-65 Novices Chuck Peterson (157) drag races Howard toward the tree turn. Photo: Jody Weisel

Ron Shuler (33) took the Over-60 Expert win with a 4-1. Amazingly, the top four all tied on 5 points each with Fred Nichols getting second with 3-2, Robert Pocius going 2-3 and Luther French going 1-4. Photo: Mark Riker.

Luther French (21), who turned his Yamaha YZ450 into a Suzuki look-alike, won the first moto of the Over-60 Expert class, but got a fourth in the second moto to end up fourth overall. Photo: Mark Riker.

Taylor Herald (669) not only won the Women’s class, but finished third overall in the 250 Intermediate class behind Riley Morgan and Gavin Baker. Photo: Mark Riker.

Tatum Brownfield (365 ) went 2-2 for second in the Women’s class. Photo: Mark Riker.    

2024 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” RACE SCHEDULE

Josh Fout at speed.

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 January 25, February 1 and February 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

Dan Alamangos (95) ended up “second Australian” when a fellow Aussie, Warren Strange, fell over in a tight corner and landed on him.

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