Robbie Bell swept the 450 Pro class in front of a field that included Tony Amaradio, Jake Capriotti, Dennis Stapleton and Brett Hottel.
In one of those weird weather anomalies that happens in coastal regions, the temperature dropped from 106 degrees the day before to a pleasant 85 degrees for Glen Helen's REM race on Saturday. In what has been one of the coolest SoCal summers on record (sorry about the fact that the rest of the country has been sweltering), the weather finally turned hot over the last week. Then, it mysteriously disappeared for the race weekend. Every rider was happy because they were braced for a blistering day of motocross at REM.
It would be no secret that Baja racer Robbie Bell wouldn't have minded if the temperatures had shot up a few degrees (he's used to high temps on the Baja Peninsula), but once he ran down fast starting MXA test rider Dennis Stapleton, he gapped the rest of the 450 Pro field in both motos. Tony Amaradio went 2-2 for second overall. The whole Amaradio clan was out in force with Dad Lee racing in the Vet class and Uncle Willie in the Over-50 class.
Armando Aguilar went 1-1 on front of Chris See to take the 250 Pro class. Italian rider Elia Zinetti was third with a 2-3.
Billy Musgrave (15) kept his YZ125 pegged in pursuit of his dad Willy (422).
Billy Musgrave had a heated duel with Max Groom for the 125 Intermediate
victory. Musgrave fell in moto one and pushed his YZ125 two-stroke to
the limit to catch up to Max just before the finish. The second moto was
an equally close race—with Musgrave at the point the whole time. The
real excitement came when Billy caught up to his dad, Willy, who was winning the Over-40 Pro class. This was not one of those touching
father/son moments—as Willy used the power of his CRF450 to hold off his
son...and when Billy finally got alongside of his dad going into a
left-hand bowl turn, Willy ran him high. As the crowd of locals cheered
the teenager on, Willy stayed up front. It is only a matter of time...as
every father of a fast son eventually finds out.
Pete Murray plows a furrow in the Over-50 Expert class.
THE FABULOUS 50'S
Pete Murray proved to be the class of the always large REM Over-50 Expert class. Murray opened up big leads in both motos and avoided the weekly war that goes on in this class. No one knows why REM attracts such a large crowd on Over-50 riders, but it does—and it is normally the most exciting race of the day. Behind Murray in the first moto was a top ten of Randel Fout, Greg Nelson, Ron Lawson, Dennis Boulware, Willie Amaradio, Pete Vetrano, George Kohler, Mark Hall and Ken Ehlers. In the second moto, Pete Murray was the only rider to finish in the same spot. Fout couldn't back up his second in the first moto and crashed back to 12th. Greg Nelson improved on his third in moto one with a second for second overall. Ron Lawson's 4-3 got him third in front of Dennis Boulware and George Kohler.
Marc Crosby swept the Over-50 Intermediate class, while Tim Norton used his HT Racing KTM 350SXF (a precursor to the 2011 KTM 350) to take the Over-40 Novice class. Steve Sussman went 2-2 for second with Craig Johnston (2-5) third. Dennis Smith, Brian Martin, Ian Pederson, Dave Rabjohn, Arnold Schreuder, John Tookey and Brian Underdahl rounded out the top ten.
The sound of Evan Kelly's YZ125 shocked some riders enough that they had to take a second look. Kelly went 1-2 in the 250 Novice class.
Justin Jones continues to impress everyone with his speed. As a member
of a very fast family, Justin has been improving with each week—thanks
in no small part to the fact that the 450 Intermediates get to start
with the 450 Pros at REM. Justin has been keeping fast company—and
looking good at the same time. Not only did he win the 450
Intermediates, but he beat some of the Pros as well.
Dean Crow (137), John Huegel (27) and Jerry Grabow try to get to the same spot at the same time.
THE OVER-40 CLASSES
Motorcycle USA's Adam Waheed took the Over-40 Novice victory. In the
Over-40 Intermediates, Aussie Dan Alamangos was not to be denied. He
showed his normal Down Under craziness, but kept his KTM 250SXF on two
wheels to take the win (thanks to banzai passes on the big downhill).
Scott Williams finished second in both motos.
Brendan Crow (138) takes the inside line away from Austin Mierau (382). Crow would go 1-1 and Mierau 3-3 in the 250 Beginner class
Gary Lama used a 3-1 to get the gold in the Over-40 Novice class. Lama
tied on points with Darren Cortines, but the second moto win sealed the
deal for Lama. Carlos Palomo also tied, but had a third in the second
moto. Steve Thetford was fourth, Dean Crow fifth and Jerry Grabow sixth.
Tom White won the Over-60 Expert class in front of Jody Weisel. Brett
Freeman swept both motos of the Vet Novices with Pete Vetrano,
Tom Hinz and Todd Heagstead in chase.
John Basher was one of ten MXA test riders at REM. He got a week off from going to the Nationals when Zap took the Southwick gig. John will be going to Steel City next weekend.
One of the best races of the day was between Nathan Cernicky and Evan
Kelly in the 250 Novice class. Kelly won the first moto (coming from way
back on his YZ125 to pass Nathan near the end). In the second
moto, Kelly again got himself in a hole at the start and caught up to,
but couldn't pass Cernicky at the line. Cernicky's 2-1 beat Kelly's 1-2,
while Dylan Anderson, Gunnar Johnston and Dan Cortines rounded out the
top five.
John Perry flew in from Durango to race at REM on Jody's spare KTM 450SXF. Don't feel bad that John had to ride a backup bike—it has Showa works forks on it.
If Pete Vetrano looks down to the bottom of the hill he will see that he needs to disconnect his brakes and his brain if he wants to catch the leaders.
REM takes next week off for Labor Day, but will be back with a "Special Race" on September 11. There will be a barbecue and a TV (to watch the final AMA National of the year). This is an event for motocrossers who would rather race than watch someone else race. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com
Photos by Dan Almangos
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