Dirt Rider test rider Kris Keefer was flying toward an overall win until a flat tire ended his day early.
The ‘back track’ at world famous Glen Helen Raceway hosts amateur races most Saturdays throughout the year. The track is made up of a portion of the AMA National/USGP course, and each time I’ve raced there the prep has been great and the track fun and ‘old school.’ That means hills rather than whoops and natural terrain jumps rather than supercross obstacles. The promoters at REM have gone another step closer to real MX’s roots with the inclusion of a 125 class. I had to get in on this so I grabbed Dirt Rider’s 2011 YZ125 and had a great time. A really great time. Ride a 125 if you haven’t recently.Dirt Rider test rider and cover-hog Kris Keefer joined me and raced the 450 Pro class, where he went 2-DNF. So I stuck a voice recorder in Kris’ face shortly after his DNF moto to ask him some really important questions -Pete Peterson: You were in position in moto 2 to take the overall. You got a flat tire in moto 2, it didn’t work out for you. Before we get to that did you see me racing my YZ125 in the 125 class?
Motorcyclist magazine’s Brian Catterson came out with his KTM 350 to have some fun and just miss the podium in the 40 Intermediate class.
Kris Keefer: Oh yeah, I saw you ripping around, even saw some scrubbing action over the tabletop there to get you squared up for the corners. And it wasn’t even a butt whip, it was a legit scrub.Pete Peterson: So you got a flat tire, you had to pull out of the second moto, you must have been pretty upset. Were you still happy for me that I got to go race my 125?Kris Keefer: I was very happy for you. I was more happy for you watching you from the starting line than I was for my race.Pete Peterson: It’s kind of a day you want to forget for your racing career, but are you going to remember the part about watching me race my YZ125?Kris Keefer: I’ll always remember that. It’s embedded in my brain forever.
Kris Keefer battles with Richie Leech in moto 1. Leech got him for the win, going 1-4 for second overall in the 450 Pro class.
Pete Peterson: Should we talk about you for a second? Is this a warm up race for your race year in the Canadian series?Kris Keefer: Yeah, I’m just trying to get the ball rolling. This is my first race in a long time so I’m just trying to start my program so I peak out in the summertime. The Canadian nationals start June 4th.Pete Peterson: How do you rank the competition out here for a warm up race?
Jake Gowar piloted his Honda to 4th overall in the 250 Intermediate class.
Kris Keefer: It’s good. The guys know the track really well because all these guys that race here, they race here almost every weekend. It’s good. We get good long motos and we’re out of here by two o’clock, I really like it.Pete Peterson: Who are your sponsors for the Canadian nationals and what place are you going to get up there this year?
Warren Field went 9-5 for seventh in the 250 Intermediate class.
Kris Keefer: I’m shooting for top 7. Of course Yamaha always help me, and I’ve got a new sponsor this year, Pasha Racing. He’s a great guy, just a moto enthusiast, and he’s helping me out with my bikes and being around the racing. And of course Fly Racing and Smith and Alpinestars and of course Dirt Rider magazine, how can I forget Dirt Rider.Pete Peterson: And we’re out here getting some tips from you. Do you have some good riding and bike set up tips coming for our readers?
Jace Owen was on the gas on his Suzuki, winning the Open Intermediate class.
Kris Keefer: Yeah I try to make it interesting for the guys, you know. ‘Cause I know when I grew up racing what I wanted to learn and I like taking the time to help people out because when I was growing up nobody helped me out.Check out the full race results below -
