“Chicken” Headlines Glen Helen U.S. GP
Press Release | May 24, 2010
The following is from Glen Helen Raceway…In addition to hosting the best modern day motocross racers in the world, the U.S. Grand Prix at Glen Helen is bringing back legendary heroes from the past. The third round of the FIM Veterans Cup series will be held in conjunction with the USGP in Southern California on May 29-30th. Headlining the list or racing heroes that will be competing is former 125 SX champion Jeff “Chicken” Matiasevich.
Always a fan favorite and winner of the 1988 and 1989 AMA 125 SX titles, Chicken finished runner up to Jean-Michel Bayle’s incredible sweep of the last 500cc USGP to be contested at Glen Helen in 1992. “I was oh-for-three against JMB that day,” jokes Jeff of the old three moto format for the GPs. “You could say I have some unfinished business to settle at Glen Helen.” After a successful Supercross and motocross career in the U.S., Matiasevich went on to win three consecutive Japanese National Motocross titles in 1995-97. More recently he has raced the U.S. Open and other events.Joining the ageless Matiasevich at Glen Helen on May 30th will be a host of heroes, including former USGP and Motocross des Nations winner Chuck Sun; multi-time World Vet champ (and San Jose SX winner) Doug Dubach; former Honda and Suzuki factory test rider Rich Taylor, Monster Energy/Team Green Vet racer Matt Tedder; Arizona hotshoes Drey Dirks and Ed Foedish and Noleen/J6 racer Clark Jones.
In addition to the MX greats, off-road legends like Team Husqvarna’s Ty Davis and KTM’s Paul Krause are signed up to face the European “regulars” like defending champ Mats Nilsson from Sweden. The Swede has been perfect in VMX competition this year, sweeping both motos at the Veterans Cup rounds in Italy and The Netherlands.
Former full-time GP racers Kurt Nicoll from Great Britain (who has been tearing it up in Supermoto competition the past couple years) and Kiwi legend Darryll King are coming out to show the world they still have the speed that made them threats to win every time they lined up. Watch for King to give Mats Nilsson are run for his money considering he is the 30-time! New Zealand MX champ, 4-time Australian champ, ranked in the top five in World GP 6-times (including vice championships in 1997 and 1998) and the outright winner of the Belgian, French and German GP’s in 1997.Vintage Motocross expert Tom White is working with the FIM to coordinate the Veterans Cup round at the USGP and he explains the format: “Entrants will get two 20-minute practice sessions on Saturday morning. One moto will be run Saturday afternoon – 20 minutes plus 2 laps and the second moto will be run as the first race of the program on Sunday,” says White. “Riders will be required to pass FIM World Championship tech inspection, meet sound and an EKG is necessary for riders over 50!”
Fans can see their favorite racers, past and present up close and personal as the USGP pits will be open Saturday May 29 from 10am-6pm for the MX1 qualifiers, Veterans Cup practice and first moto. For Sunday’s main event, the Pro Paddock will be open from 9am-6pm. Cost is only $30 for both days, plus admission. Children 6-12 get a reduced rate of $15, plus admission for both days.
Click (here) to see the confirmed list of legends set to compete in the Veterans Cup at Glen Helen.
Tickets for the “Race Of The Century” are available at the www.glenhelen.com, as well as at participating local Yamaha dealers. Reserved camping is available at the track for $50 per spot.
