2020 TransAm Vet Classic | Race Report

July 1, 2020

2020 TransAm Vet Classic | Race Report

What a weekend! The 2020 TransAm Vet Classic is officially in the books, as the annual event went off this past weekend at Glen Helen Raceway. Despite having such short notice, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our team managed to throw together the largest Vet exclusive race on the west coast in just a few weeks. Hundreds of eager and experienced racers filtered through the gates of Glen Helen all weekend long to share laughs and burn laps on the Grand Prix style track layout, unique to the TransAm.

As the dust settled, racers made their way over to sign-ups to collect their trophies and prizes. Our friends at OGIO Powersports hooked class winners up with their choice of OGIO Helmet or Goggle bags, and winners of the Pro classes were rewarded with an OGIO 9800. Nihilo Concepts also whipped up some sweet custom trophies that were awarded to racers who lined up for the most motos during the weekend. We think it’s safe to say that racers were pretty stoked leaving Glen Helen.

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Our very own test rider Mike Sleeter came out to the 2020 TransAm Vet Classic and did a bit of working and playing. Sleeter now represents PNG, a trendy new hydration and gel group, and spent the time between his motos keeping fellow racers hydrated throughout the weekend. However, Mike didn’t spend all of his time at Glen Helen under the PNG tent, as he managed to line up and race 8 different motos on Saturday and Sunday. Though he had some tough competition in both the 30+ Pro and 25+ Pro classes, nobody had anything for Mike Sleeter in the Wiseco 2 Stroke class, as he dominated both days aboard his Twisted Development tuned YZ250. When the weekend came to an end, Sleeter left Glen Helen having earned five individual moto wins and three overall class victories.

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Although every class showcased some exciting battles, the 25+ Pro class was clearly the most anticipated race of both Saturday and Sunday. With twelve blistering fast racers lined up on the gate, not a soul was to be found in the pits as everyone migrated to the viewing areas to watch battles unfold in the class. Though each racer in the 25+ Pro class displayed excess amounts of talent on track, the battle up front was clearly between Broc Shoemaker and Alex Ray. On day one of racing, the two shared a few mistakes but ultimately Broc Shoemaker was rewarded with the overall win after his 1-2 performance.

As day two came around, it was clear that Alex Ray wasn’t thrilled with his results and mistakes from the previous day. That said, spectators were even more eager to watch the 25+ Pro motos and see what would go down. Alex had the early lead as the fleet of racers darted towards the Talladega turn, but Broc was able to pivot and cut under Alex as they exited the first turn and take control of the lead. That was pretty much it for action in moto one, as Broc laid down some fast laps to build a slight gap between him and Alex in second place. However, the second moto of the day and final race of the 2020 TransAm was one for the achieves. Broc and Alex were neck and neck the entire race, swapping positions a handful of times. On the final lap, Alex held the lead but took a far outside line before the finish line, leaving the door open for Broc to sweep in on the inside and take Alex out. As the checkered flag waved, Broc Shoemaker was once again victorious in the 25+ Pro class. What a race!

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The Clydesdale class is one of our favorite classes and one exclusive to the TransAm Vet Classic. What are the Clydesdale class requirements? To race in the prestigious class, you must weigh in over 200lbs and well… that’s about it. That being said, the Clydesdale class seems to motivate those who normally wouldn’t come out and race to do so. If you’ve had the chance to come out to a TransAm Vet Classic and watch the heavyweight class, you were probably surprised at how fast these guys go. That’s right, they aren’t slouches. On Saturday, Travis Cory was untouchable in both of his motos, as he put down some fast laps and cruised to both race wins with fourteen other racers behind him. As for day two of racing, the field was much lighter, no pun intended, as less than half of the racers from the previous day lined up. However, Nicholas Sanchez didn’t seem bothered by the lack of competition as he costed his way to a 1-1 performance.

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