Andy Fortner, from Pittsboro, Indiana, gave a clear demonstration of why he’s called ‘Fast Andy’ at the Central Illinois M/C night hillclimb Near Neoga, Illinois.  Fortner entered three classes and won them all, and also picked up the Fast Time trophy and money for the fastest overall time of night.  Andy’s fast time came in the first round of the 600cc class where he flew his CR500 high over the top of the 100 foot hill in a blistering 2.705 seconds.  He didn’t have to ride twice, as no one could beat that time all night.  Randy ‘Rocketman’ Trosper was close, however, as he blitzed the hill in a sizzling 2.721 seconds for second place on his Honda, and the D-15 Hillclimb Referee, Scott Petty was also very fast on his CR500 with a 2.812 second third place run.  Scott Sheets Jr, also Honda mounted, was close behind Petty with a 2.821 second run and veteran Doug Campbell slipped into fifth with a 2.891 second time on his KX500.

            Fortner’s second win came in the 750cc class where he rode his 750 ‘Hondasaki’ triple, built by his father, Roger Fortner, to a fine 2.867 second class topping time – again on his first ride.  No one else in the class could break into the two’s, but ‘Wild Wade’ Schultz was closest with a 3.074 second run on his Yamaha twin for second place.

            But Andy’s night was not over yet as he still had his stock length CR250 to ride in the 400cc Stock class, which he was the current point leader.  Just as in his other two classes, Fast Andy set a fast time, 3.479 seconds, on his first ride that no one in the class could beat all night.  Andy’s score for the night – 3 rides, 3 wins, fast time – you can’t get better than that, folks!  Doug Campbell claimed second in the 400 Stock class on his YZF400 thumper with Paul Hart, Lyndell Allison and Jon Creek filling out the top five spots.

            Scott ‘Scooter’ Sheets Jr was actually the closest challenger to Fortner’s fast time as he flew his roaring Harley high over the top in 2.&15 seconds to take the Pushrod Class win away from Wade Schultz.  Schultz had turned a good 2.973 second time in the first round and was leading the class at intermission.  Scooter couldn’t pull off a double win, however, as his 3.001 second time in the Open class fell short of the 2.832 second run carded by the ‘Wild Child’, Tom Daniels who was riding a Harley borrowed from Steve Shafer.

            In youth action, 8 year old Dylan Brady stretched his slim lead in the 50cc class with a 54 foot winning effort on the rough steep hill on his Polini, just a foot farther than runner up Donnie Robbins, who managed 53 feet on his Cobra.  Bobby Senn, the defending champion in the 85cc Junior Mini class, showed his championship skills with a 5.189 second winning ride – the only rider in the class to top the hill.  Steven Joe ‘Goose’ Weaver took second on his 65cc Kawasaki with a 75 foot first round effort.  Billy Hanes was the only Senior Mini rider to top the hill in the first round, doing it in 4.832 seconds.  In the second round, however, Josh Denson put the pressure on as he sailed his KX80 over in 4.536 seconds to take the lead.  Hanes was up to the challenge, though, as he charged hard at the rough hill and blazed over the top in 4.305 seconds for the win.  No other riders in the class got to see what the top of the hill looked like.   

            In other amateur class action, Damon Mayo was the 125cc class winner, Kelly Senn took the 200cc class win, and Jon Creek grabbed the win in the 250cc class.  Jared McKay was the fast guy in the 400cc class, Randy Trosper stretched his lead in the Senior class (+40) and Ron Todd was the fastest of the AARP card carriers (+50).  Steve Shafer was the Open Stock winner and Paul Hillard was fastest of the Quad riders.   

RESULTS:

50Cc AUTO:  Dylan Brady (Pol), 2.Donnie Robbins (Cob), 3.Jake Hunsaker (Pol), 4.Chris Peters (KTM), 5.Tanner Chumley (Hon),.

85CC JR: 1.Bobby Senn (Kaw), 2.Steven Joe Weaver (Kaw), 3.John Gocken (Yam), 4.Drew Daniels (KTM), 5.Alan Petty (Hon).

85CC SR: 1.Billy Hanes (Kaw), 2.Josh Denson (Kaw), 3.Chad Cox (Kaw), 4.Brent Bowman (Yam), 5.Don Barber III (Kaw).

125CC: 1.Damon Mayo (Suz), 2.Josh Denson (Hon), 3.Paul Hart (Hus), 4.Kevin Ryan (Kaw), 5.Don Barber Jr (Hon).

200CC:  1.Kelly Senn (KTM), 2.Brent Warfel (KTM), 3.Jake Tackitt (Kaw), 4.Paul Hillard (Kaw), 5.Jared McKay (Kaw).

250CC: 1.Jon Creek (Suz), 2.Don Barber Jr (Hon), 3.Matt Peters (Hon), 4.Randy Trosper (Suz), 5.Cody Jenner (Hon).

400CC:  1.Jared McKay (Yam), 2.Matt Peters (Yam), 3.Scott Buchholz (Yam), 4.John Potter (Yam), 5.Paul Hillard (Yam).

600CC: 1.Andy Fortner (Hon), 2.Randy Trosper (Hon), 3.Scott Petty (Hon), 4.Scott Sheets Jr (Hon), 5.Doug Campbell (Kaw).

750CC: 1.Andy Fortner (Kaw), 2.Wade Schultz (Yam), 3.Tom Daniels (Kaw), 4.Scott Petty (Yam).

OPN: 1.Tom Daniels (HD), 2.Scott Sheets Jr (HD).

PROD: 1.Scott Sheets Jr (HD), 2.Wade Schultz (HD), 3.Steve Shafer (HD), 4.Tim Wiggins (Tri).

SNR: 1.Randy Trosper (Hon), 2.Mark Peters (KTM), 3.Doug Campbell (Kaw), 4.Ron Todd (Kaw), 5.Kevin Weaver (Hon).

SSNR: 1.Ron Todd (Kaw), 2.Gayle Jenkins (Hon), 3.Richard Potter (Kaw).

400 STK: 1.Andy Fortner (Hon), 2.Doug Campbell (Yam), 3.Paul Hart (Hus), 4.Lyndell Allison (Hon), 5.John Creek (Hon).

OPN STK: 1.Steve Shafer (KTM).

QUAD: 1.Paul Hillard (Yam), 2.John Barna (Yam).

FAST TIME ‘FAST ANDY’ FORTNER, 2.705, HONDA CR500