MAY 14, 2007
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Report and photos by James Lissimore
For many years Glen Helen was the first stop on the annual AMA Motocross National circuit, taking place the weekend following the Las Vegas Supercross. Then, four years ago, the date was moved to the end of the season to give the riders a week off between the end of the Supercross season and the start of the outdoors. The folks behind Glen Helen Raceway then decided to hold a warm up race, named the Prequel, on that same weekend to give the riders a shot at an outdoor national-type race before the actual nationals begin. The Prequel has grown into a valuable tune-up race, especially in the Lites class, where riders can gauge their speed and conditioning before the real pressure hits at Hangtown the following weekend.
The Prequel track layout was a preview of what the riders will experience when the AMA National tour comes to town in September, including both Mt. St Helen (pictured here), Yamaha Hill, and the big hill on the REM side of the track. There are some serious elevation changes on this track. Our own Canadian champ, Star Racing Yamaha’s Dusty Klatt, put in a spirited ride, going 9-5 for 6th overall. The results don’t tell the real story though as Klatt had to make charges from the back of the pack in both motos. On the first lap of moto one, a rider went down in front of Klatt leaving him no where to go but right into him. Dusty remounted in last and put on a charge that saw him work all the way to seventh, but then with a couple of laps to go he slid out in a corner and lost two positions, leaving him with ninth at the moto's end. In the second moto, he suffered a poor start, rounding the first turn in the mid 20’s. He put his head down and worked his way all the way to fifth by the end of the moto. Klatt wasn’t exactly happy with his results but at least he was able to show he’s on pace with the front runners. Here’s hoping for better luck (and better starts) next weekend at Hangtown. KTM Canada’s Michael Willard decided to break out the 125 two stroke again at Glen Helen but didn’t fare too well aboard the oil burner. With its huge hills and loose soil, Glen Helen is probably the last track you’d want to try and battle 250Fs while riding a 125. Still, he gave it his all and had the thing pinned everywhere, but in the end could only muster 23-19 finishes for 18th overall. It’s pretty safe to say he won’t be showing up at Ste-Julie aboard that bike. The Ironman award of the day went to Zip-Ty racing’s Bobby Garrison. The offroad racer raced both classes, turning in a 10-7 for 7th overall in the lites and a suprising 8-4 for 6th overall in the Motocross class where he was battling up front both motos. The Prequel also marked the first race of the WMA season and reigning champion, Pro30.com’s Jessicia Patterson, swept both motos. She lead every lap of the first moto and took the lead in the second moto from Tarah Geiger, who led the opening laps. Yamaha’s Geiger finished second in both motos of the women’s class and led part of the second moto. Geiger and Patterson opened a large gap on the rest of the pack in both motos and are definitely the favorites in this year's title chase. Rookie rider, Sobe/Samsung Honda’s Trey Canard was suprising in his first big pro race. The young rider who won’t be riding his first national till after Loretta Lynn’s ran up front in both motos and would have been on the box if not for a couple of crashes. His second moto battle with Brett Metcalfe saw the two distance themselves by a large margin from the rest of the pack. Look out for this kid come Millville, he should be an instant contender. After missing the entire Supercross season, Monster/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Brett Metcalfe was eager to get back on the track and prove that Mitch Payton had made the right decision by signing him in the off season. He didn’t disappoint, as he swept both motos and looked strong all day on his KX250F. Yamaha of Troy’s rookie rider, Kyle Cunningham put in a consistent 3-4 moto score for 3rd overall. Metcalfe introduces Canard to the big leagues in the second moto. Canard remounted to hang onto second. Previous Prequel winner, Sobe/Samsung Honda’s Josh Grant finished 2-3 for second overall. The Lites podium. The holeshot machine, Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi, won the first moto of the Motocross class and finished second behind Grant Langston in the second moto for second overall. Yamaha’s Langston took the overall in the Motocross class with 2-1 moto scores. He looked a little off pace in the first moto but came out and won the second moto when it counted, securing the overall win. If he can stay healthy he should be a podium threat this summer. Brazilian champ, Antonio Balbi Jr., finished on the podium with 5-3 scores for 3rd overall. Jeff Alessi was fast all day too, going 4-5 for 4th overall. Ping showed up and raced a moto of the Prequel, finishing 17th in the first Motocross moto. The other Canadian racing at Glen Helen was BC’s Howie Spencer. Spencer finished 20th in the Motocross class and will race Hangtown next weekend before making the big drive to Ste. Julie for the first Canadian National. See you at the Races!
