Overview:
Jalil Jay Lynch, a Hollywood stuntman and actor, delivered a strong second-place finish in the Open Expert class at the SoCal Vet MX races at Glen Helen Raceway. In an on-site interview, Lynch discusses his decision to race despite not planning to compete, how motocross helps him stay physically sharp for film and stunt work, and the calculated risks involved in balancing a high-impact racing sport with a professional career in the film industry. Drawing on decades of riding experience and credits on major action productions, Lynch offers insight into the crossover between motocross, stunt performance, and disciplined preparation—highlighting how precision, restraint, and timing matter as much on the dirt track as they do on set.
Glen Helen Raceway, California — Jalil Jay Lynch didn’t plan on racing that day. A few friends mentioned they were heading out to the track, and on a whim, he decided to join them. By the end of the afternoon, Lynch had taken second place in the Open Expert class at the SoCal Vet MX races, holding his own against a deep field of experienced riders at one of Southern California’s most demanding tracks.
“I wasn’t planning on racing today,” Lynch said shortly after coming off the bike. “A couple of friends of mine told me they were racing, so I came on out.”
That spontaneous decision quickly turned into a strong showing. Lynch finished near the top across multiple motos, landing on the podium despite limited recent racing. “Sometimes you get lucky,” he said with a laugh, downplaying the result. “Hopefully we can do a repeat on the next moto.”
The Open Expert class, known for its pace and technical demands, isn’t typically where casual riders end up. Lynch acknowledged the challenge, noting that while he still rides regularly, racing has taken a back seat in recent years.
“I’ve been riding since I was about ten years old,” he said. “I don’t really race anymore. I just come out and keep myself in shape, that kind of deal.”
The reason is one that sets Lynch apart from many of his competitors: his career off the track. Lynch is a professional stuntman working in the film industry, primarily in Los Angeles, where physical readiness is part of the job—but injuries can have real consequences.
“I’m a professional stuntman, so I really don’t come out and race that much because it kind of jeopardizes my ability to show up on Monday if I crash on Sunday,” he explained. “If you know what I’m saying.”
That balance—pushing hard enough to stay sharp, but not so hard that it risks his livelihood—was visible in how Lynch approached the track. Glen Helen’s layout features big jumps and fast sections that demand confidence and restraint in equal measure.
“Once in a while you gotta do a jump, right?” Lynch said. “Everybody else is doing them well, most of the guys. You gotta keep your spot.”
Despite that cautious calculus, Lynch looked anything but tentative. He flowed through the course and stayed competitive with riders who race far more frequently. One of his closest competitors that day also came from a similar background.
“That guy at number 100—he’s a stuntman too,” Lynch said. “He lives in Georgia and came out here to race today. I think he beat me the first open moto. He came in first. I think I got second.”
The overlap between motocross and stunt work isn’t accidental. Lynch’s film career centers on high-risk, precision-based performance, much of it involving motorcycles and cars.
“I do mostly motorcycle and car work,” he said. “Cartwheels, car work—big car work in the business. Flipping cars over, cannon rolls, car chases.”
His résumé includes work on major action franchises, where he often performs driving and riding sequences for lead actors. The skill set required—control, timing, spatial awareness—translates naturally to motocross, even if the competitive environment adds another layer of pressure.
“It’s kind of a cool business,” Lynch said, reflecting on the parallel paths his life has taken.
While Lynch signed up for the series that day—his first official registration in years—he stopped short of committing to a full racing comeback. Still, the door appears open.
“Maybe I’ll start coming out a little bit more often,” he said.
For now, Lynch seems content straddling both worlds: the structured chaos of film sets during the week, and the raw, unscripted challenge of the dirt track on weekends when time and risk allow. His second-place finish in Open Expert at Glen Helen Raceway was less about chasing trophies and more about proving something to himself—that the skills honed over decades, on bikes and on camera, still hold up when the gate drops.
As Lynch put it before heading back toward the pits, eyeing the next moto, “Let’s see if we can bring home something—bring home a plaque or something.”
On this day, he already had.
Editor’s note: Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
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