If riders ever needed a reason not to get in fights at the track, this week's REM race at Glen Helen provided lots of possibilities. In a practice tussle, MotoSport Outlet's Steve Boniface and local Pro Tim Beatty got in a ghost riding, punching, kicking and screaming match in front of the scoring tower. At most local tracks this would be bad enough, but Glen Helen's REM races are held in front of the SoCal motorcycle industry. So while Beatty and Boniface rolled around on the ground, their performance was witnessed by several AMA team managers, owners of clothing companies, representatives from Fox's design department, AMA Hall of Fame members and lots of amazed spectators. The fight was broken up by corners workers and Jeff Alessi (who stopped his bike and ran over to pull the riders apart).
French rider Steve Boniface (141) took the 250 pro win in front of the Rockstar team.
In the end, REM promoter Frank Thomason made both Steve Boniface and Tim Beatty stand at the rider's meeting and make a formal apology over the loud speaker to every person at Glen Helen (and all the assembled riders). He even made the two Pro riders hug (and if they hadn't they would have been banned from REM for up to a year).
Brazilian Antonio Balbi (965) went 3-3 at Glen Helen and was first non-Alessi.
IGNITION RACING GOLD CROWN SERIES
This week REM race was the opening round of the Ignition Racing Gold Crown Series at REM. Ignition Racing, makers of the db Dawg muffler insert, is the title sponsor of the series with $2500 in contingencies. The five-round series will resume on April 28 (with additional May 5, May 19 and May 26 dates).
Matty Dowell (775) is get a world of experience against REM's cast of AMA National riders.
In the Pro races Steve Boniface was no worse for wear as he won the 250 Pro class over Rockstar teammates Kelly Smith and Andrew McFarlane. Smith won the first moto, but couldn't close the gap on the French rider in moto two and ended up third behind Tyler Keefe. Boniface went 2-1 in front of Smith's 1-3, Keefe's 3-2 and McFarlane's 4-6.
Ignition Racing is sponsoring REM's five-race Gold Crown series.
The 450 Pro race belong to the Alessi brothers. Mike went 1-1, while Jeff "The Ref" Alessi was a solid second. Behind the Alessi train came Brazilian Champion Antonio Balbi (3-3), Kyle Mace (4-4), Tim Beatty (6-6), Tony Amaradio (8-5), Justin Mace (7-7), Josh Brown (9-8) and Matty Dowell (5-12).
In the 85 Junior class Seth Harnischfeger and Ryan Surratt, son of former 125 West Supercross Champion Willie Surratt, tied with 1-2 and 2-1 scores. Harnisfeger got the win with Terren Salinas in third.
Jeff Alessi went 2-2, but did his best work as a referee in the Beatty/Boniface fight.
Nigel Crosby continued his string of good rides with a clean sweep of the 85 Beginner class besting Joey Johnstone, Joe Iorio, Chris Abelson and Max Engel.
Kevin Weisbruch and Daniel Meynet split moto wins in the 85 Intermediate class--with Weisbruch taking the trophy.
THE BIG CLASSES
The 450 Junior race was won by Sean Friday with a 1-1 with Mark Johnson second with a 2-2. For third place, Daniel D'Agostino and Cole Ralston swapped 3-4 and 4-3 motos (with Ralston taking third).
Kelly Smith (47) gets a good look at Glen Helen's vast vistas.
Almost 30 riders lined up for the Over-50 and Over-60 classes. Dennis Boulware and Willy Amaradio continued their weekly wars with Amaradio throwing away the win with a crash on the back straight by endoing. He remounted for a 1-4, but Boulware's 2-1 took the day. Of note was the return of Vincent Clark, a former top ten runner in the 1974 AMA 125 National Championship. Vince went 8-8 (behind Pete Vetrano, but ahead of Randy Skinner).
Desert ace Bill Maxim took the Over-60 Master class in front of Team Yamaha mechanic 
Mike Alessi (800) lost to his brother last weekend at REM, but came back to easily win both 450 motos this week.
Alan Olson (who was enjoying the two-week Supercross series break). Swedish stars Lars Larsson and Bengt Johansson were third and fourth.
Willy Musgrave (422) raced four Pro motos. Not bad for an old guy in his 40s.
Billy Musgrave was handed the 250 Junior win when first moto leaders Casper Larsson and Sean Friday crashed while dueling for the lead. They remounted to finish seventh and sixth, but 125 two-stroke mounted Musgrave took the first moto win in front of Brandt Locey, Joey Webb, Kevin Weisbruch and Brian Nelson. In the second moto, Sean Friday and Casper Larsson were back at the front (with Friday taking the win). But Friday's 6-1 was only good enough for third overall behind Musgrave (1-3) and Locey (2-4).
There is no REM race this weekend because Glen Helen will be hosting the World Four-Stroke Championship. The Four-stroke race will pay $15,500 in purse money, divided between the ITP Quad race ($1500), Richardson RV 250F class ($2000), BBR 150cc Pro race ($5000) and White Brothers 450 Pro class ($7000).
REM will return to action on Saturday, April 28. Practice begins at 9:00. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com