Doug Dubach (15) and Terry Fowler (338) have been racing against each other for two decades. No spring chickens, the 43-year-old Dubach and 37-year old Fowler didn't have any trouble with the young Pro riders at Glen Helen's REM race this past Saturday as they distanced themselves from the rest of the pack. Dubach, a former AMA Supercross winner, Canadian National Champion, World Four-stroke Champion and World Vet Champion, gave away a few years to Fowler, who just two weeks ago qualified for the 250 class at the AMA National. Only neo-pro Tyler Keefe (555) could keep the pair in sight on his Pro Circuit Kawasaki.
In the first Pro moto Dubach, Fowler, Keefe, Matt Tedder and Willy Musgrave made up the top five on lap one. Over the course of the 20-minute moto Dr. D kept the point, while Musgrave and Tedder (both over 40 years old themselves) dueled for a podium spot. Musgrave finally wore the Loretta Lynn Champion down. Moto two saw Fowler grab the holeshot with Dubach in pursuit. Just as the gap closed to a bike length, Dubach crashed hard in the back straight. He remounted way behind the pack, but managed to motor his way back to second place, passing willy Musgrave on the last lap for second overall.
The 250 Intermediate race was a chance for France's Kamy Bruder (98) to strut his stuff. Bruder probably won't be able to stay in the Intermediate class much longer. He came from the second gate (behind the Pro race) and worked his way into the top five in the Pro class (and that was from a 30-second deficit at the start). Bruder won both motos with the rest of the top ten spots going to Freddy Sanchez, Greg Jones (Son of former National Champion Gary Jones), Colton Udall, Sean Bailey (son of former National Champion David Bailey), David Robertson, Wil Collins, Justin Falk (just up from the Junior class), Chris Micklos and Gunnar Strum (back from Washington).
IN THE TRENCHES
It was "Saddleback Week" in the Over-50 classes as former Saddleback racers Jim Hoover, Jim Latendresse, Alan Olson, Jody Weisel, Ray Pisarski, Horst Leitner and Feets Minert renewed their glory days from the long-closed Saddleback Park (the last Saddleback race was in 1984). The Over-50 Master win went to Hoover with a 1-2. Jim Hoover nipped Jim Latendresse's 3-1 and Dennis Boulware's 2-3, while George Kohler (4-4) and Ken Ehlers (5-5) filled out the top five spots.
The 85cc classes went to Dakota Tedder (Expert), Jonathan Hornbeck (Intermediate), Dallas Leedom (Junior) and Steve Newbourg (Beginner).
The biggest class of the day, as always, was the Over-40 Juniors. Mark Prescott went 1-1 over Cory Clark, Ted Kukla, Mike Borkowski, Rick Peterson, Tim Rash, Mike Hillion, Dave Feeney, Steve Asa and Jay Laumer.
REM races again next Saturday, October 1, on the REM track and then on Saturday, October 8, REM returns to the Glen Helen National track. Practice both weekends starts at 9 am.