Beer, Smith and Whitlock Lead Off
Tracy, Calif. (April 8, 2008) – Billed as the "Return of Harrison's hill", Round one the Racer X / Suzuki N.A.H.A. Pro Hillclimb Series saw Columbus Montana's, Dusty Beer return to his winning ways by taking home the coveted Open Exhibition win saying that, "it more then exceeded my expectations – I'm real happy" after his first run at a blistering 10.116 up the over 500ft wall. It didn't come easy for Mr. Beer as Mr. Consistent; Farmington Utah's Jason Smith was only four 100th of a second behind – posting an equally fast 10.505 which was good enough for second. Two-time Defending Champ Harold Waddell just couldn't find the same lines with the big bikes as his best ride was a 13.364, while taking second place in the 0-700's while Utah's Travis Whitlock rounded out the top three in the big iron class.
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Dusty Beer | | |
Smith had a good day and was easily the most consistent rider in all thee classes besting the 0-700 filed over Waddel; who's second run in the 700's was online to be the best of the day until a kicker sent him flying, fortunately he got up unhurt. Rounding out third place was California's' Brian Osborne.
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Jason Smith | | |
Only the fourth rider of the day, Travis Whitlock took his KTM to the top the famed hill and much to the delight of an estimated crowd of nearly five thousand – he would be the only 450 rider toping the hill at 14.193 with second place going to Jason Smith when he tipping over at the 490 mark. Finally, a local rider, Joe Shipman surprised everyone taking home third by getting up to 427ft.
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Travis Whitlock | | |
Other notables of the day include a frustrated Robie Peterson who is defending his number one plate in the 0-700 as his team struggled all day"we had some problems today that have never really happened to us before and all we can do is just re-focus and put it behind us and make it up on the next round" offered Peterson. He wasn't the only frustrated competitor; at least he got over the top – not all of the riders could say they did, in fact only 14 out of 130 earned that distinction.
Round 2 comes to Southern California's
Glen Helen Race park April 26th & 27th visit
www.glenhelenHC.com for more information.
