Northland Motorsports/Precision Concepts Race Report; 24 Hours of Glen
Helen

Bike:

Kawasaki KX450F

Riders:

Robby Bell
Taylor Robert
Steve Hengeveld
Ty Renshaw

With one last WORCS race and Baja Looming on the Horizon, the 24 Hours
of Glen Helen almost seemed like a speed bump on the way to the other
races. What bike to use?, what riders?, was all decided just before
the race. One of Robby’s race bikes got the nod. It would be a true
test of durability as this bike had several hard races on it. Another
question was lights. We have never run more than short stints with
lighting on this bike. By the end of this event, we were going to
learn alot.

Everything started off well. Robby got the holeshot and began to pull
a lead on his first three laps. For the next several hours, we
maintained the lead with everyone putting in solid lap times. At about
the six hour point, we had a chain adjuster issue. This required a pit
for repairs. Then an hour later, The front brake hose we were testing
slipped out of it’s clamp. Another pit for repair. We lost the lead
for the next few laps. Then we took it back and led till night time
came. At our major pit for wheels, lights, brakes, etc., the brake
pins we were testing jammed in the rear caliper. It took several
minutes to get this fixed and we were now back to second.

During the night, we held second for several hours, only a few minutes
from the lead. Then we had our biggest problem of the event. after a
crash, we began to get a small coolant leak. A radiator hose split.
Three laps later we were in the pit for another repair. After some
hose clamp issues, we lost over thirteen minutes. This ended up being
the final straw that hurt us. It would take a major problem on the
part of the leaders to get back in it.

When the checkered flag came out, we crossed in second. It was not
what we came to do, but it got us the Endurance Series Championship.
This was our first year going for this title, and it’s a good feeling
to claim this trophy.

A few notes about the race. Robby pulled the fasted lap times of the
race while Taylor was a close second. Then at night, Taylor took the
fastest times with Robby second. This is remarkable as Taylor had
never ridden at night before this event.
Steve rode great, especially when you consider this was his first time
ever racing a Kawasaki. Ty was solid as usual and got faster as the
race went on. Everyone was up for every ride and never once
complained. It was a true team. I have to give the energizer bunny
award to Taylor as he finished the race with one of the fastest times
of the whole event.

While I’m bummed about not winning, it proved a very valuable test for
Baja. The bike ran perfect, Even when it was low on coolant. It never
over heated. The Baja Designs lights were amazing. Not only were they
the best lights we’ve ever run, but they worked flawless the whole
night. The bike is the same one that won the six hour and the twelve
hour, a true durability test! The problems we did have are already
being addressed. There were twenty minutes of pit repairs that we know
now how to avoid.

The next race up is the Mesquite WORCS round ten. We will be at full
strength. Jamie is back from the ISDE where he helped the US World
Junior Team to third overall on the Podium. He was also the top
American on day six, earning him a Gold Medal. All this as a Rookie!
Taylor and Robby looked strong at the twenty four hour, so it should
be game on!

Also congratulations to Joe Hengeveld and Northland’s Business Class
Team on their win. And also for having Tim and Lupe Gomez cook their
awesome burritos.

And a special THANK YOU to Donna,Steve,Mark, and Katie Harstine for
all their help all night. Awesome pasta Donna! Diane for the great
scoring. Roger Wooder and his crew for their help. And then there’s
Phil Valdez. Without his tireless efforts, these races would not be
possible. He is the best mechanic in the business!!

Thanks for all the support, and I’ll have a WORCS race report next week.

Bob Bell

Team Coordinator