Bonfire Racing Short Course Series is Glen Helen Raceway’s new short course series. The newly named race series has expanded the original GBC Series by including Pro Buggies, 1450, Super Buggies, Mini Stock, Pro Lite, and Class 11. A Pro purse is added to the new additions as well. The Series retains the grass root classes for Youth UTV, Trophy Karts, and Quads along with all the other UTV classes previously ran. January 19 was the opening double points round with practice set for January 18.
Glen Helen’s own Lori Wilson has directed the GBC Short Course Series for many years and decided to expand the series by bringing in new classes with added help. Bringing many of the new classes to the series was Tech and Executive Race Director Bill Markle. To assist in track safety Markle brought in an all-new safety crew headed by Nick Howell. Gary Jones of Supercross fame was put in the starter’s tower at the opening event. Dave Arnold called the action high above in the announcer’s booth.
The 2025 series returns to Glen Helen Raceway in June with a two-day event set for Saturday and Sunday, June 14th – 15th. The schedule also includes races September 6th – 7th with the final on November 8th -9th. Preregister for upcoming events at https://secure.tracksideprereg.com/glenhelen/?event=140.
The addition of the 1450 class proved to be a good call as 23 entered the first event. Early on it appeared Arron Baker 1471 would be a runaway winner as he distanced himself from the pack. Baker continued to distance himself until Jeff Musgrave got into the turn one wall, knocking over the guard rail, causing the race to be stopped until it could be fixed. This brought the pack back up to Baker on the restart where he had Ryan Desantels take the lead from Baker. The lead change didn’t last long as Baker was able to reestablish control of the event and go on to take the checkers. Desantels finished second with Vincent Munoz third.
The new Beehive Class 11 had four entries with the main battle for the lead going between Brian Odor and Sing up come to S. As it turned out O’Dor led early with Sing Up on his rear bumper for several laps and I do mean on his rear bumper. At the finish Sing Up come to S took the win with O’Dor second. The battle for third was just as tense as it was for the leaders. Aubree Wardrip and Brandon Akulian gave the fans plenty of action before Wardrip finally took the final podium spot.
There were two Pro 2 entered with Brock Hanmer taking an easy win as Sean McKenzie developed a mechanical issue early on.
Four Pro Lite entries came to test their mettle and the action proved to be a true test. Fans were drawn to the main battle between Thomas Madigan 47 and Brian Cannon. The two provided plenty of action in both races but at the checkers, it was Madigan crossing under first. Brian Cannon held second and Bill Medigan was third having finished 3-3 on the day.
Five Limited Buggies entered the event that saw Carson Smith 319 take the checkers in the first race over Richard Woods and Kevin Streety. The second race started out early with Woods leading Smith but Smith was able to make a pass and then held on for the win. Having repeat second-place finishes earned Woods second for the day. Travis Jones ended the event third overall as he finished 4-3 on the day.
A total of 13 Youth 1000 lined up in both races on the day. The battle between Mikey Childress and Nolan Bishop occupied most of the fan’s attention. These two shadowed one another in both races. At the end of the day, Childress 84 took home the overall having won the second moto and Bishop was second going 1-2 on the day. Jesse Johnson was consistent with his 3-3 placing third overall.
Jaxon Cotter #11 finished the day with repeat wins in the UTV Youth Stock 170 class. Dylan Llamosas earned second with his 3-2 finishes. Ean Corona was third having finished 2-4 on the day.
The Youth 170 6-8 Beg win went to Stetson Wyman #56 having won the first race and placing second to third place finisher Slater Sperry in the second moto. Slater had a DNF moto one. Kynlee Vogit earned second having finished with 2-3 results.
The UTV Stock race was dominated by Jameson Froman #14 taking repeat wins on the day. Seth Cass was right behind in both races for second overall and Stephanie Warapius was third.
Taryn McCalla #13 put their Kawasaki out front in both races and held on for the overall UTV Sportsman Open. Aiden Coots was a close second in both races and Brenna Goerke was third going 3-3 at the event.
Andre Tomei #733 was able to take repeat UTV Prod Turbo 1000 wins for the top spot on the podium. Dylan Taber earned second after battling with Chase Carr. Taber put in 3-2 results while Carr took third with 2-3 scores.
Mikey Childress #84 had a good day in the UTV Prod NA 1000 event taking checkers in both motos. Nolan Bishop was second after scoring 2-3 results. Mason Cotter went 4-2 to earn the final podium spot.
There were 12 UTV 170cc 9-12 yr Beginners entered that saw Tanner Hodge#114 take the top podium spot having earned a 1-2 score. Phillip Pinhero was second having placed 2-3 in the two races. Kynlee Vogit was third after scoring 3-4 in the races.
The UTV 170cc 6-12 Yrs Nov Dylan Llamosas #188 took control early in both races taking wins in both. Brianna Walton was his closest competition having finished second in both races. Third was Cassidy Walton after scoring 4-3 for the day.
Landon Morrow went home with repeat wins in the UTV 170-250cc 8-14 yrs class. Morrow had Ryland Gaughan behind him in both motos. Carly Warapius was third having scored repeat third-place finishes.
In the Polaris Razor race, Makenna Clarke #18 took home the overall trophy having placed second in both races. Jett Eimer was Moto One winner then was third in race two giving him second on the day. Aiden Griffiths was fourth in Moto One then won Moto Two giving him third on the day.
Shay McCalla was the lone UTV 800-900 Open entry.
There were eight Quad Exp #33x entries that fans saw dominated by Auston Baxter, Baxter took repeat wins first besting Anthony Baxter then in the second race Mason Delgatto. On the podium, it was Delgatto earning second on the day and Anthony Baxter was third.
There were seven Odyssey entries. Rusty Lindamood #3 was able to see the checkers in both races for overall. Christopher Schmidt (2-2) earned second over Dennis Shaw (3-3).
Avery Wardrip won the JR 2 Trophy Kart after placing third in race one and then taking the race two wins. Maxden Summers earned second with 2-2 results and Ian Torfi was third.
A total of seven JR 1 Trophy Karts lined up and after the day was done it was Caden Greinke taking the top podium spot having earned 1-2 results. Penelope Scafuto was second on the day with her 2-3 points earned. Emmaree Peters finished sixth in the first race but came back to win race two giving her third overall.
John Flagg #66 rode his Honda to take home top honors in the Quad Novice race over Jessica Hill.
Addisyn Baxter #03 was the Quad 90cc winner after putting in 2-1 results. Rebecca Somarribaearned second with her 3-2 results and moto one winner Wayne Eard was third after scoring 1-4.
In the Quad 70cc class Jameson Lieberg #14 went home with the overall trophy after winning both races. Kennedy Barker had repeat second place finishes and third to step on the podium was Ryleigh Amerio after finishing third in both races.
Pete Garcia #62 rode his KTM to victory in the Quad 30+ All event by taking repeat victories. Vallen Harris earned second after scoring 2-2 on the day. Susan Baxter was third.
Kali Barker earned the overall Quad 250 event after placing third in moto one then coming back to see the checkers first in race two. Jack Amerio went 2-2 in the races. Zaine Flagg won Moto One but his third in Moto Two dropped him to third overall.
Colton Flores was the lone Quad 50cc entry.
Jillyan Veenstra #22 was the lone Quad Beg.
Joel Manzo was the lone Quad Int rider.