Bryce Vallee sails over an REM knoll with the next rolling section visible up ahead. Vallee was untouchable at Glen Helen this weekend.
Like lots of REM regulars, Bryce Vallee was gone for the last couple weeks. He raced at Loretta Lynn’s, finishing third overall in the 450 Pro Sport class, but was back in action at Glen Helen this weekend. And, Bryce was shot out of a cannon—he cleared away from all the Pro riders and won both motos with amazing margins. Second overall in the 450 Pro class went to MXA test rider Dennis Stapleton, who also returned to REM after being in Europe for while. Third overall was T.J. Caldwell.
Dennis Stapleton (45) went 2-2 in the 450 Pro class.
Armando Aguilar took the 250 Pro class in front of Chris See, while Justin Jones won the 450 Intermediate class (which was on the same gate as the Pros). Jones easily won the Intermediates and pushed his way into the Pro class. MXA’s Billy Musgrave used a 2-1 to best Max Groom’s 1-2 for the 250 Intermediate victory.
BTO-sponsored Armando Aguilar took the 250 Pro class victory.
THE BIG FOUR-OH
Over-40 Novice: Todd Heagstedt went 1-1 in front of Carlos Palomo (3-2) and Dean Crow (2-3).
Over-40 Intermediate: Bryan Friday continues his win streak in the Over-40 Intermediate class, sweeping both motos in front of Australian Dan Alamangos (3-2) and Scott Williams (2-3). Tim Murphy returned from the couch to go 4-4. Mike Young was fifth. Another rider that the REM crowd hasn’t seen in a long time was Aussie Chris Alamangos—Chris rode hard, laid it down a couple of times and had trouble with fitness on a 100-degree day, but vows to become a regular again.
Chris See is getting faster each week and used his Motorcycle USA/AXO/MTA Honda to get second in the 250 Pros.
Over-40 Expert: Phil Dowell and Greg Pierce had a spirited battle for the glory—Dowell had a good day and Pierce had to watch the checkered flag fall for Phil in both motos.
Justin Jones (5) doubles up his roost with the help of his boot.
THE EVEN BIGGER FIVE-OH
Over-50 Novice: David Minnick took both motos with Chuck Freeman second in both motos. Brian Underdahl was third, Greg Whitfield fourth, Tim Norton fifth, Craig Johnston sixth, Ian Pederson seventh, Brian Martin eighth, John Tookey ninth and Rob Deeds tenth.
Over-50 Intermediate: As more Over-50 Novices get kicked upstairs, the Over-50 Intermediates becomes more competitive each week. Marc Crosby used a 2-2 to take the win this week in front of last week’s winner Frank Mierau. Hollywood stuntman John Alden went 3-3, while behind Alden there were some mix ups. Bob Marino won the first moto, but did not start the second moto and former class winner Ray Pisarski was sixth in moto one, but sat out moto two.
Australian Chris Alamangos has been out-of-action for the last few months. Nope, not injured...girlfriend. He's back.
Over-50 Expert: There aren’t many races in the world where the Over-50 Expert class is the biggest class of the day, but at REM the old guys reign supreme. Every week is like a warm-up race for the November 6-7 World Vet Championships. Steve Lawler and Randel Fout dueled for the win this week, with Lawler showing his years of experience to take gold in both motos. Dave Eropkin was third overall with a 4-3, while Dirt Bike’s Ron Lawson was fourth with a 3-4. George Kohler is still trying to put his Husaberg FX450 on the podium, but a 5-6 left him a couple places short. Mark Hall (6-8) was sixth, Willie Amaradio (11-5) seventh, Pete Vetrano (9-7) eighth, Randy Skinner (8-10) ninth and Greg Groom (10-14) tenth.
Over-60 Expert: Former AMA Grand National dirt tracker Tom White is part of a trio of riders who are capable of winning the Over-60 Expert class every week. The other two, desert star Bill Maxim and nine-time World Vet Champion Lana Olson, weren’t at REM this week. So, White was a shoo-in...which is exactly what he thought as he started the last lap of moto two. White had won the first moto and was leading the second moto with a comfortable margin over Tom Holmes, Jody Weisel, John Huegel, Bill Seifert and Feets Minert. Then, with a handful of corners to go, White came up on a lapper and it all went wrong. As White banged off the lapper, Tom Holmes blasted by on the clean line for the win. Holmes 2-1 defeated White’s 1-2.
Brian Martin (65) cranks the inside line, while Craig Johnston goes for the outside. Johnston's line must have been better because he was sixth and Martin eighth in the Over-50 Novice class.
MISCELLANEOUS WINNERS & COMPETITORS
Vet Novice: Brett Freeman (1-1), Pete Vetrano (2-2) and Gary Taylor (5-3) were the stars of the field.
250 Novice: Nathan Cernicky (1-1), Dylan Anderson (2-3 and Gunnar Johnston (4-2) were the top three.
250 Beginner: Joseph Estrada (1-1), Ryan Nitzen (2-2) and Brendan Brow (2-3) took the trophies.
Glen Helen's spectator tunnels offer some interesting views of the REM track.
REM races again next Saturday, August 28. Practice starts at 9:00 a.m. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com
Photos by Dan Alamangos
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