Mark Schroeder returned to the hillclimb scene after many years and made his presence immediately felt by winning two classes on his new Yamaha.

Wheelwright, from Elizabeth, Illinois, had to work hard for the Fast Time award, doing it on his second ride with a blazing 3.818 second high flying run on his CR500 in the 600cc class. Wheelwright is the 2001 National Champion is this class. ‘Wild Wade’ Schultz was Wheelwright’s closest challenger, joining him in the 3 second bracket with a fine 3.973 second run on his second attempt on his Honda. Randy ‘Rocketman’ Trosper also broke in to the 3’s, finishing close on Schultz with a 3.981 second time on his second run on his CR500. Craig Schnitzler (KTM) and Butch Fetters (Kaw) filled out the top five in the class.

Schroeder, a 31 year old CPA from Danville, didn’t wait to turn in his best time. Riding a stock length 2002 Yamaha YZ250 in the 250cc class, Schroeder sailed high over the top in an astounding 3.927 seconds, a time that would not only win that class, but also held the fast time until deep into the second round when Wheelwright unleashed his CR500. Matt Ringstrom, riding a stock length KX250, turned a good 4.062 seconds on his second run to slip under Wheelwright for second place by a mere 1/1,000 of a second. Wheelwright, the 250cc National Champion in 2000, stopped the clock on his Yamaha in 4.063 seconds on his first ride. Don Barber Jr (Hon), ans Kevin Ryan (Kaw) filled out the top five.

Schroeder, Ringstrom and Wheelwright met again in the 400cc Stock class, with basically the same outcome. Schroeder nailed yet another 3 second run on his YZ250 with a 3.946 second time on his first ride. Ringstrom carded a 4.185 second time on his first ride on his KX250, and Wheelwright, riding a KTM300, finished close behind him with a second round 4.198 second run. Andy Fortner (Hon) and John Colbert (Yam) finished fourth and fifth.

Scott Sheets Jr had another good day, winning the Open Class and taking second in the Pushrod class on his big bad Harley. Other amateur class winners were Damon Mayo in the 125cc class, Brent Warfel in the 200cc class and Matt Peters in the 450cc class. ‘Fast Andy’ Fortner took the 750cc class win, Wade Schultz grabbed the 750cc win and Randy Trosper was the best of the Senior Class (+40) riders. Gayle Jenkins was the best of the AARP (Super Senior) crowd, Tom Brown was the Open Stock class winner, Tate Pearson won the 600 4-stroke class and David Brown was the fastest of the ATV’s.

In youth class action Dakota Blakeny and Dylan Brady thrilled the crowd by topping the hill on their 50cc automatics. Blakeny took the win on his Cobra in 6.576 seconds, as Brady and his Polini were just behind him with a 6.665 second run. Steven Joe ‘Goose’ Weaver took the 85cc Junior mini class win with a 5.199 second time on his KX85 with Cody Rankin running second. Donnie Barber III took the 85cc Senior Mini win, riding Kevin Bond’s KX80, with John Gocken taking second.

85CC JR Mini: 1.Steven Joe Weaver (Kaw), 2.Cody Rankin (Yam), 3. Shane Green (Kaw), 4.Kevin Bond (Kaw), 5.Justin Trent (Kaw).

85CC SR Mini: 1.Donnie Barber III (Kaw), 2.John Gocken (Kaw), 3.Josh Warner (Kaw), 4.Mike Popham (Yam), 5.Richard Miller III (Hon)

125CC: 1.Damon Mayo (Suz), 2.Billy Hanes (Hon), 3.Nick Mayo (Suz), 4.Brent Bowman (Kaw), 5.Josh Denson (Hon).

200CC: 1.Brent Warfel (KTM), 2.Gordon Green (Kaw), 3.Mike Peters (Kaw), 4.Butch Fetters (Kaw), 5.Keith Klett (Kaw).

250CC: Mark Schroeder (Yam), 2.Matt Ringstrom (Kaw), 3.Eric Wheelwright (Yam), 4.Don Barber Jr (Hon), 5.Kevin Ryan (Kaw).

450CC: 1.Matt Peters (KTM), 2.Scott Pearson (Hon), 3.Craig Schnitzler (KTM), 4.Jared McKay (Yam), 5.Paul Hillard (Yam).

600CC: 1.Eric Wheelwright* (Hon), 2.Wade Schultz (Hon), 3.Randy Trosper (Hon), 4.Craig Schnitzler (KTM), 5.Butch Fetters (Kaw).

750CC: 1.Andy Fortner (Kaw), 2.Wade Schultz (Yam), 3.Lane Schultz (Yam), 4.Greg Rankin (Yam).

OPEN: 1.Scott Sheets Jr (HD), 2.Steve Shafer (HD), 3.Lane Schultz (Nor), 4.Roger Riddell (Kaw), 5.Randy Green (HD).

PROD: 1.Wade Schultz (HD), 2.Scott Sheets Jr (HD),Steve Shafer (HD).

SENR: 1.Randy Trosper (Hon), 2.Kevin Weaver (Hon), 3.Scott Petty (Hon), 4.Scott Pearson (Hon), 5.Bobby Fisher (Hon).

SSNR: Gayle Jenkins (Hon), 2.Keith Klett (Kaw), 3.Bud Northrup (Yam).

400 STK: 1.Mark Schroeder (Yam), 2.Matt Ringstrom (Kaw), 3.Eric Wheelwright (KTM), 4.Andy Fortner (Hon), 5.John Colbert (Yam).

OPN STK: 1.Tom Brown (Hon), 2.Tate Pearson (Hon), 3.Steve Shafer (KTM), Butch Fetters (KTM). 5.Mark Peters (KTM).

QUAD: 1.David Brown (Hon), 2.Tracy Zollars (Hon), 3.Ryan Garriott (Yam), 4.Paul Hillard (Yam), 5.John Barna (Yam).

600 4-ST: 1.Tate Pearson (Hon), 2.Butch Fetters (KTM), 3.Steve Shafer (KTM), 4.Mark Peters (KTM), 5.Curt Randal (Yam).