Eli Tomac Set for Glen Helen MX
After a dominant performance in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season opener at Hangtown, GEICO Honda racer Eli Tomac faces another challenge this weekend.
Tomac, who swept both 450cc motos in last Saturday’s Hangtown MX Classic in Sacramento, Calif., has never raced professionally at Glen Helen Raceway, site of this weekend’s Glen Helen National.
“I haven’t raced a professional outdoor national there, so that will be a first for me,” the CRF450R pilot said. “That track, I think, is by far the gnarliest track on the circuit, so we’ll see how it goes. It has gigantic hills, and they always prep it way differently on practice days there.”
Tomac didn’t race at Glen Helen last year, and the track was off the schedule for several years before that.
“I’ve had plenty of Thursdays there riding on open days and the occasional regional in amateur stuff,” Tomac said. “I’ve raced it but I know that they always prep that thing totally different for the pro event, so it’ll be a good one for sure.”
Tomac was terrific in the motocross opener, winning the first moto by more than 22 seconds and the second by more than 90 seconds. He led every lap.
“I’m ready to get back on my bike for Glen Helen,” Tomac said. “I’m really looking forward to continue the season after such a great start.
“Glen Helen is another gnarly track, but I know my bike will be working good because it is set up perfectly for these West Coast-style tracks.”
So while many motocross teams will be scrambling this week trying to improve their bikes, Tomac is confident in his GEICO Honda.
“You’re always trying to search and make things better,” Tomac said. “I found a better setting for the second moto (in Hangtown) and it was good, so as of now I’m going to stay where I’m at. I’m happy, so not many changes between here and Glen Helen.”
