Ryan Surratt claimed four titles at the NMA World Mini Grand Prix at Glen Helen. Photography by Kit Palmer
SAN BERNARDINO, CA, APRIL 19 – The 43rd running of the NMA World Mini Grand Prix at Glen Helen Raceway is now in the history books with more than 40 class championships being decided over three days of racing. More than 700 entries were filled out for this year’s event. This was, according to the NMA, a slight increase over last year’s World Mini GP, which had been held in Mesquite, Nevada, the last few years.
There were a number of multi-class champions this year, but no one took home more than Yamaha’s Ryan Surratt from nearby Corona, California. Surratt racked up four titles, all coming in the Intermediate division, where he topped both the 250 Stock and Modified motos, as well as both the 450 Stock and Modified motos.
Another big winner was KTM rider Carson Brown. Had it not been for a problem early in the second 85/150 Open that resulted in a 10th-place finish, Brown might’ve gone back to his home state of Washington with four titles as well. Instead, he’ll have to be satisfied with just three. Brown claimed double-moto wins in the 85/150 Modified and Stock (14-16) classes, and went 1-2 in the 112 Supermini Thru-16 for the title. (Brown also won the first 85/150 Open moto.) Casey Keast won the second Supermini moto but a third in the first moto resulted in a second overall trophy.
KTM rider Tanner Amarillas took the 112 Supermini Thru-13-class Championship and did so without winning a moto. His consistent 3-2 placing gave him the big number-one trophy.
In the Pro division, Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger added two more titles to his already impressive resume. The Ohio-native swept all motos in the 250 and 450 Modified Pro classes.
Michigan’s Cody McCulloch (Yamaha) traded moto wins with Georgia’s Kyler West (Honda) to win the 250 Stock Pro class, while Nevada’s Jayme Gardiner III (Suzuki) won the 450 Modified Pro class with a 1-1, topping Justin Jones (KTM) and his 2-2 tally.
Temecula, California’s Brooke Whipple went 1-1 to take the Women’s-class Championship on her Honda.
One of the stars in the 50 Pee Wee division was Enzo Termmerman who guided his Cobra through the deep ruts and over the big bumps of Glen Helen to claim two titles in the Stock and Modified (4-6) divisions, winning all four motos.
KTM rider Haiden Deegan also claimed two class championships in the Pee Wee Modified (7-8) and Super Pee Wee Open (6-9) classes.
Kyle Berry and Fletcher Jackson went at it in the Pee Wee Modified (9-10) class. The KTM riders traded moto wins, but it was Berry who won the all-important second moto for the overall victory.
Canada’s Jacob Piccolo went home with two titles in the 65cc Jr. Cycle Stock (9-11) and Open (6-11) classes.
Oregon’s Max Miller was another double title winner at the World Minis. The Kawasaki rider fought hard for his championships in the 85 Stock and Modified Thru-11 classes.
