MTA World Vet Championship underway today at Glen Helen

As one of the most popular races in the world for racers 25 and up, the MTA World Vet Championships attract riders from a variety of backgrounds and skill levels.

2010 featured great racing from the likes of Doug Dubach, Ryan Hughes, Two time National Champion Steve Lamson, Gordon Ward, and MXdN winner and 1985 125 National Champion Ron Lechien. This year’s event is shaping up to be just as good, with riders from all corners of the world – including Ecuador, Canada, and Australia.

In 2009 Dubach and Hughes battled for the Pro class title during last year’s World Vet Championships, with Dubach claiming victory in a stunning upset. Hughes had won the first moto by a significant margin, and was well on his way to taking the second before a flat tyre took him out of the race. Hughes’ inability to complete the second moto left Dubach in the clear to take the moto-win and the overall victory. 

In addition to great racing, the 27th Annual 2011 MTA World Vet Championships (on the famous USGP track) will feature motocross legend David Bailey receiving the Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award, joining the ranks of Roger DeCoster, Gary Jones, Bob Hannah, and last year’s recipient, Broc Glover.

The MTA World Vet Championship will be adding classes for riders over 55-years-old this weekend. This is in keeping with the already existing Over-25, Over-35 and Over-45 classes (and it is presumed in that in the future the Over-60 riders will be split in Over-60 and Over-65).

The real impetus came from the large number of Over-50 Experts vying for the title...which left the older riders in the class (those between 55 and 59) at a disadvantage. Although the Over-55 classes did not make the race flier or the entry blank, all riders have to do is show up at sign-up and request the Over-55 (Novice, Intermediate or Expert) classes. As always at the World Vet, you have to bring your driver's license to sign-up to prove your age—and they don't care if you will turn the correct age one day after the race—you cannot race a class unless you are that age on race day (5 or 6 November 2011).

The World Vet schedule - California time

• Thursday, Nov 3...Open practice from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 4...Practice for entered Vets from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 5...Races for all classes, plus the $4000 Over-40 Pro class
• Sunday, Nov. 6...Races for all classes, plus the $4000 Over-30 Pro class

For live points:  www.tracksideonlineresults.com/trackside/glenhelen/index.asp

Inspiration and copy Motocross Action mag and Glen Helen.