McKAY’S A-OK AT CIMC HILLCLIMB

By: Bud Northrup - Neoga, Illinois May 18, 2003 - Photos: Gordon Green

Jared McKay, a 17 year old ‘Young Gun’ from Neoga, Illinois, was the fastest of the fast at the May 18 hillclimb held by the Central Illinois M/C. Riding a KX500, young McKay flew over the 90 foot steep and rough hill in an amazing 2.392 seconds on his first ride to post a time no one would match all day – taking the 600cc Class win and the Fast Time Award. Butch ‘Fearless’ Fetters was nearly as quick on his Kawasaki, though – with a fine 2.429 second time of his own, and the Saturday night fast guy, Jon Creek, was still running strong on his Honda with a 2.566 second time for third place. KX500 riders Ron Todd and 16 year old Josh Denson filled out the top five places in the class with times of 2.612 and 2.620 seconds respectively.

Todd had a good day, taking wins in both the Senior and Super Senior Classes. His 2.648 second time in the Senior Class was well ahead of class Point leading Scott Petty, who carded a 2.800 second time for second place with ‘Marvelous’ Mark Peters taking third on his KTM550. Todd has not been beaten this season in the AARP qualified Super Senior class, and is stretching out his lead in that points race.

Matt ‘Captain America’ Peters was also a double class winner. His first win came on his KTM380 in the 450cc class, where his 2.570 second time was not seriously threatened – Steve Shafer being his closest challenger with a 3.211 second run on his YZ400. Peters used his Yamaha YZ400 thumper to win the 400cc Stock class, carding a 3.186 second first round lead – good enough to hold off the class point leader, R.J. Watson, who took second with a 3.448 second time on his KX250.

Shane Green is also undefeated this year, taking his fourth consecutive win in the 85cc Junior Mini class. He had to come from behind to earn this win, however, as no one in his class could top the rugged hill. He crashed at 52 feet on his first ride, and found himself in fourth place at intermission, with Blake Cappello sitting in first with a 72 foot effort. On his second run, however, Green came oh so close to topping the hill as he flew over the breaker near the top and looped out at the 89 foot mark. Cappello bettered his first ride by a few feet, but had to settle for second with ‘Joltin Jake’ Wood sneaking in to the third spot with an exciting 75 foot effort on his KX65. Drew Daniels claimed forth with Chris Peters running fifth.

In other youth action, 5 year old Jeremiah Lyday rode his new Cobra to the win in the 50cc Automatic class with a terrific 58 foot climb, with Logan Moody taking second on his newly acquired Polini with a 41 foot effort. Drew Daniels posted a good 77 foot effort on his KTM65 to win the 65cc class, with Nick Green, also KTM mounted, taking second with a 70 foot run. Mike Popham extended his 85CC Senior Mini class point lead with a 3.460 second winning ride on his YZ85, with Michigan’s Richard Miller III his closest challenger with a 3.705 second time on his CR80.

Other amateur class winners were Josh Denson in the 125cc class, Jacob Tackitt in the 200cc class and Kevin Cappello in the 250cc class. National Champion Butch Fetters took the 600cc four stroke class win, Paul Hillard was the best of the 750cc class, Randy Green ran unopposed in both the Open and Pushrod classes as did Mike Bacon in the Open Stock class and Jason Cappello in the Quad class.

RESULTS:

50CC Auto: 1.Jeremiah Lyday (Cob), 2.Logan Moody (Cob), 3.Graham Cornwell (Hon), 4.Dakota Watson (Yam), 5.Nathaniel Blevins (Yam), 6. Joseph Lowe (Suz).

65CC: 1.Drew Daniels (KTM), 2.Nick Green (KTM), 3.Jake Wood (Kaw), 4.Joe McGurer (Kaw).

85CC Jr: 1.Shane Green (Yam), 2.Blake Cappello (Kaw), 3.Jake Wood (Kaw), 4.Drew Daniels (KTM), 5.Chris Peters (Yam).

85CC Sr: 1.Mike Popham (Yam), 2.Richard Miller III (Hon), 3.Goose Weaver (Kaw), 4.Kevin Bond(Kaw), 5.Nick Burke (Kaw).

125CC: 1.Josh Denson (Hon), 2.Billy Hanes (Hon), 3.Brent Bowman (Hon), 4.Alan Petty (Hon), 5.Josh Mingee (Hon).

200cc: 1.Jake Tackitt (Kaw), 2.Gordon Green (Kaw), 3.Mike Peters (Kaw), 4. Keith Klett (Kaw).

250CC: 1.Kevin Cappello (Yam), 2.Matt Peters (Hon), 3.Jared McKay (Yam), 4.Butch Fetters (Hon), 5.Billy Hanes (Hon).

450CC: 1.Matt Peters (KTM), 2.Steve Shafer (Yam), 3.Paul Hillard (Yam), 4.Mike Peters (Suz).

600CC: 1.Jared McKay (Kaw), 2.Butch Fetters (Kaw), 3.Jon Creek (Hon), 4.Ron Todd (Kaw), 5.Josh Denson (Kaw).

600 4-Stk: 1.Butch Fetters (KTM), 2.Curt Randall (Yam).

750CC: 1.Paul Hillard (Kaw), 2.Jon Creek (Kaw).

OPEN: 1.Randy Green (HD).

SENR: 1.Ron Todd (Kaw), 2.Scott Petty (Hon), 3.Mark Peters (KTM), 4.Kevin McKay (Kaw), 5.Steve Shafer (Yam).

SSNR: 1.Ron Todd (Kaw), 2.Keith Klett (Kaw).

PROD: 1.Randy Green (HD).

400 Stk: 1.Matt Peters (Yam), 2.R.J.Watson (Kaw).

Opn Stk: 1.Mike Bacon (Mai).

QUAD: 1.Jason Cappello (Hon).

FAST TIME: JARED McKAY, 2.392, KAWASAKI KX500

Jared McKay - Fast time of the day

Mike Popham pops over the top on his YZ