The 2021 Vintage Motocross Classic

Oct 27, 2021

Most may not have heard of it, but Glen Helen is such an iconic raceway, the track first shot to fame in the early nineties when it hosted the United States World Championship Motocross. Since then it has hosted not only famous races but more than its share of famous riders. Which is why Forrest Minchinton, Nick LaPaglia and Reid Harper were super excited to head to this renowned track for this year’s So-Cal Vintage Classic. A celebration of bikes from a different era.

The boys blew into Glen Helen early, riding the 40mph winds that howled along the great mountain side, undeterred, they set up shop right next to the start line, ahead of what was to be an amazing day. With 18 different classes, the So-Cal Vintage Classic has plenty of room for variation within what bikes can be ridden throughout the day.

Forrest had brought along his ‘not-so trustworthy’ 1995 CR500 to race in the 500 Cup and Revolution Class. We say ‘not-so trustworthy’ because he’d raced and not finished on this bike more than most would like. We thought it was a bloody brave move. However, he’d assured us, and to a certain extent, himself, that the past weeks preparation of rebuilding the bike for these races, he’d removed all the wrinkles, here’s hoping. Reid was sporting his 1973 Husqvarna 250 to race in the Vintage 250/500 Class. While Nick, along with his brother Michael and dad Big Mike had brought along more bikes than most. A few 1970s and 1980s Husqvarna 250’s, a couple of CZ’s and a Maico 440, putting everyone else’s set up to shame. Nick had also decided to go above and beyond with the number of races he had entered, the final tally being ten. Splitting himself across different bikes in different classes.

The wind started to ebb as the first race kicked off, setting the tone for the rest of the day. Vintage bikes, loud 2-strokes and a backdrop of smiling faces. The sun was high and shining as Nick and his brother fronted up to those first few races, they tag teamed first and second place in all of them too. Then it was Forrest who rolled up to the starting line for the 500 Cup. A white knuckle race that saw him battling throughout. More than once I found myself holding my breath but I needn’t have worried for he shot across the finish line first. The morning seemed to blur, the races were fast paced, one after another and as with these things, often hard to keep up with. This combo did not go well for Forrest’s Revolution Class race. He rolled up to the start only to be told that he was a race late. He ended up finishing the first round of races that morning with a ‘First’ and a ‘Did not Start’.

Around midday the second round of races got their start, the boys outstanding work during the morning put them in great positions to get some tremendous overall results. Reid snatched a Fourth in the vintage. Nick went back and cemented his mornings work by getting the First in nearly every class he raced.

Forrest managed to get to the starting line in time for the second 500 Cup race, which we thought was a win in itself. Another nail biter of a race with Forrest dancing back and forth across the slippery dirt with his fellow racers but he managed to keep two tires down more than most, ultimately leading him to the win, confirming his First place overall in Class. To put the cherry on the cake he managed to turn up for the second race of the Revolution Cup and took the win there as well, if only he had made that first race he could’ve doubled his trophy count.

Talk about a fun and successful day at the track. Sure, they took home a few First place finishes between them, more importantly they had reignited the love for their vintage bikes, making one thing certain. They’ll be coming back for more next year.

Words by Dan Tyrrell
Photos by Mounce Smith & Will Luna

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!