Glen Helen Two Stroke Race Recap

The story begins here: http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Such-is-Life-GH-Two-Strok…

And culminates with a Top-10 finish after four laps of racing on one of the toughest tracks I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding. However, the details in-between are what made my day…

Every invitee received an email on May 26th stating that we had to check-in at 7A, get settled into the pits, and be prepared for practice from 11A-11.10A with racing to follow from 11.55A-12.10P. Easy enough, however the last minute schedule change left a few fans out of the loop; Originally scheduled for 12.20P-12.30P, I believe more than a few photographers and 2T fans alike missed the race, or all but missed it.

While staging for practice, I received word from an organizer that there were to be absolutely NO GoPros on the track, at any time. I even offered to tape over and black out any and all visible logos, but to no avail. For this, I apologize as you only have my written word and potentially flawed memory to account for the day. There’s more to be said about Garmin’s ‘exclusive sponsorship agreement', but this is nether the time nor place to discuss such ridiculousness…

For me, the allotted 10 minutes of practice went quite well: Good practice start (Note to 250/450 Pros - From the hard base behind the deep loam, which is more similar to where we were actually starting from come race time…), solid 3 laps to peruse the layout, no crashes, all on the 96’ machine that was running top-notch. Didn’t send any of the oversized SX style jumps, but I knew going in that the finish line triple, back carousel double, and uphill rhythm jumps would be a stretch.

Come race time, I was feeling good! We had less than 20 minutes from the end of practice to be back in staging for the race. With Pops’ prepping the bike, I was able to swap gear, prep goggles, and get mentally settled. Glen Helen’s start is unique in both it’s length and equality: Racers can holeshot from any gate on the line. Knowing that the chicane after Talladega favored riders on the inside, I chose to line up somewhere between MA800 (MA1 for this race) and SL505, to the rider’s right of the doghouse. After a late jump into the long fifth gear pinned two smoke bliss start straight towards Talladega, a few good moves up the off-camber chicane speed check and then down Shoei hill, I felt like I was Top-10ish.

Coming over the Saddleback Peaks and into the carousel double, the riders in front slowed to single through, which allowed for a deep breath and sudden realization: “Crap! If these guys hit the uphill rhythm, I’d better just take the tow and send it”…Which is exactly what I did! Fourth gear with good timing was enough for the old dog to just make the top. For the remaining laps, I sent that section two more times until the white flag came out, when I wisely chose to slow through after establishing a decent lead over 10th. Quick note: The ruts became deep enough on the uphill rhythm and preceding hip jump that the track crew prepped them between motos for the Pros - They were that difficult and something that is generally glossed over on the broadcasts.

Throughout the day, at one time or another, I sent every jump on the 96’ except for that dang carousel double and the massive finish line triple. Given more practice, I know the carousel double was in my wheelhouse: third gear tapped would’ve been just about right on a 250 2T, I’m guessing. As for the finish line, that jump was enormous with too little reward vs. risk for this weekend warrior. Heck, even Marvin didn’t throw out his signature heel-clicker over it after his Moto1 victory! Besides, no one in front of me sent it for a tow, and even if they had, I would've simply thought “Haha Peace!” and “Have fun at the Chiro/PT next week”…

All things considered, I’m more than happy with both my result and the result of this race - The fans (who showed up early enough) got a good show with the sweet sounds of yesteryear; I can only assume that the Powers That Be are realizing there’s time in the schedule for an additional race, whether it’s a 125cc Dream Race, Open Class Invitational, Regional Support Class, etcetera; While the Glen Helen crew learned and improved upon their previous 2T races like those from 2009 and 2015.


Huge thanks to my Dad & Family; to the supporters of such Glen Helen two stroke races like MTA, LA Sleeve, STI, FMF, et all; to the true boots on the ground: Lori, Mark, John, Tia, Pam, and everyone at GH who lends a hand - Thank You!; to my fellow 2T racers; and to the fans who show up early and make these events memorable for those of us who participate in them…


Results Here: http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/The-FMF-Glen-Helen-2-Stro…

And to user Gus: http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Alessi-racing-a-2-stroke-…

The bike and I more than survived!