The Prequel at Glen Helen

It really wasn’t that long ago in California when pre-season motocross races were a big deal. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the CMC’s Golden State series was a must-attend for the factory teams, as the races provided the best way to make sure bikes and riders were dialed for the upcoming championship rounds. In the late ‘90s, there was the Perris Invitational Supercross, which even featured a $10,000 winner-take-all purse. And there is the Chapparal event at Glen Helen, on that circuit’s often-overlooked (and underused) supercross track. But with the common complaint that the racing season is already too dang long, the pre-season events have fallen out of favor with the top riders and team.

Recently, a new sort of warm-up race has sprung up, only this one occurs in the middle of the racing year, between the indoor and outdoor title races. This year marks the second running of The Prequel at Glen Helen, a race put on by Greg Primm, who happens to also own the world’s largest collection of dirtbikes and memorabilia. This race was run just last Saturday, and it was won by Team Yamaha’s Chad Reed. You can check out race reports at Cycle News, Racer X and Motocross Action.

Here’s my question: why a mid-season warm up race? Who benefits and why?

First, let me say that although I did not attend the Prequel, I appreciate every single professional motocross race that is promoted within driving distance of Pasadena, California. I didn’t attend this one because I plan on driving up to Sacramento next Sunday for the opening round of the outdoor Nationals at Hangtown. That said, after such a long and grueling Supercross season, I can understand those riders that decided to sit the Prequel out and get some rest. But for those that raced, I assumed there were a couple of factors behind their decision.

1) The race is a great opportunity to get last-minute bike sorting details taken care of, and to get a real feel for one’s outdoor setup in the midst of some real competition. This, however, is not a problem the factory riders face, so it’s interesting that Team Yamaha chose to race. Perhaps they wanted to take advantage of reason 2…
2) Since the very fastest racers see no need to compete in the non-points-paying Prequel, the door is open for the lesser lights to get on the podium for a change, bolstering both their confidence and their bank accounts.

It makes sense, therefore, for riders like Ryan Hughes, Mike Brown, Danny Smith and the like to go and try to pull in a win, since it’s highly unlikely that they’ll be able to do the same thing during the championship season, at least on a consistent basis. But Chad Reed? David Vuillemin? Granted, they are not expected to challenge for Carmichael’s crown either, but… I don’t think a second or third place overall is out of the question for Speedy Reedy. In any case, he severely outclassed the field at the Prequel, sweeping the 250 class. This win may just be his only outdoor win all year, but I’m sure he’s not harboring that dark thought.

In my mind, the big surprise was Ryno, who notched third overall with 3-3 scores, taking the title of fastest non-Team Yamaha rider. And what the heck was he doing in the 250 class anyway? Did I miss an announcement, or did he decide he had a better chance at the podium than going up against Grant Langston and Brown in the 125 class? Personally, I think Ryan should stay in the 250 class for the rest of the season.

So, no big news from the Prequel… next Sunday is going to be dynamite!