Josh Denson, a 17 year old ‘Young Gun’ from Neoga, Illinois had a perfect night at the Central Illinois M/C hill climb by winning both of his classes and setting the Fast Time of the night on September 18. Riding a KX500 borrowed from Butch Fetters, he set the early fast time in the 600cc class with a 2.720 second run on his first ride. But ‘Fast Andy’ Fortner, running late, arrived just in time to get his first round ride in and made it count with a blazing 2.692 second run to take the fast time mark into intermission. But Denson responded with a high flying 2.615 second run on his second ride to retake the lead and Fortner, while still very fast, settled for second with a 2.734 second run. Cody Jenner was third with 2.778 seconds on his Honda.

    Denson got his second win in the 600cc four stroke class, and also had to come from behind to take that win. His 3.003 second first round run on his KTM450 was very good, but Butch Fetters slipped under him with a nice 2.999 second time on his KTM520. Denson really turned his KTM loose on his second ride, however, blazing over the top in 2.768 seconds for the lead – and the win, as Fetters carded a quick 3.023 second run, but had to settle for second place.

    In youth action, young Chelsea Gill grabbed the 50cc automatic class win with a 69 foot climb on her Cobra with defending point champion Logan Moody claiming second with a 59 foot effort on his Polini. Brett Kalaher took the 65cc class win with a 74 foot effort on his KX65 with Moody running second again, this time with a 67 foot run on his little Kawasaki. Caleb Emory and Chris Peters were the only riders in the 85cc Junior Mini class to top the hill, with point leader Emory doing it in 3.698 seconds for the win, and Peters claiming second with a 4.273 second ride. In the 85cc Senior Mini class, point leader Blake Cappello and defending class champion Mike Popham were the first riders in any class to top the hill, with Popham taking the first round lead with a 3.886 second run, but crashed on his second ride. Cappello topped the hill on both his rides, and his second round 3.638 second effort gave him the win over Popham.

RESULTS:

50cc Auto: 1.Chelsea Gill (Cob), 2.Logan Moody (Pol), 3.Jeremiah Lyday (Cob), 4.Garett Holycross (KTM), 5.Dakota Watson (Pol).

65cc: 1.Brett Kalaher (Kaw), 2.Logan Moody (Kaw), 3.Chelsea Gill (Kaw), 4.Matt Gocken (Kaw), 5.Lauren Shafer (Hon).

85cc Jr: 1.Caleb Emory (Kaw), 2.Chris Peters (Yam), 3.Jake Wood (Suz), 4.Drew Daniels (KTM), 5.Austin Creek (Hon).

85cc Sr: 1.Blake Cappello (Kaw), 2.Mike Popham (Yam), 3.A.J. Book (Kaw), 4.Justin James (Kaw), 5.Schuyler Kalaher (Kaw).

125cc: 1.Bubba Bond (Hon), 2.R.D. Miller III (Kaw), 3.Brent Bowman (Hon), 4.Mike Popham (Yam), 5.Josh Mingee (Hon).

200cc: 1.Jake Tackitt (Kaw), 2.Chris Peters (Kaw), 3.Bubba Bond (Kaw), 4.Gordon Green (Kaw), 5.Keith Klett (Kaw).

250cc: 1.Mike Popham (Yam), 2.Matt Peters (Hon), 3.Jared McKay (Yam), 4.James Kalaher (Kaw), 5.Josh Mingee (Hon).

450cc: 1.Matt Peters (KTM), 2.Cody Jenner (Yam), 3.Gordon Green (KTM), 4.Paul Hillard (Yam), 5.Mike Peters (Yam).

600cc: 1.Josh Denson (Kaw), 2.Andy Fortner (Hon), 3.Cody Jenner (Hon), 4.Jared McKay (Kaw), 5.Jon Creek (Suz).

600cc 4-Stk: 1.Josh Denson (KTM), 2.Butch Fetters (KTM), 3.Matt Peters (Yam), 4.Mike Peters (Yam).

750cc: 1.Paul Hillard (Kaw), 2.Jason Northrup (Yam).

OPN: 1.Steve Shafer (HD), 2.Jason Northrup (Yam).

PROD: 1.Steve Shafer (HD).

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

SSNR: 1.Ron Todd (Kaw), 2.Mark Williams (Yam), 3.Keith Klett (Kaw), 4.Bud Northrup (Yam).

400cc Stk: 1.R.J. Watson (Hon), 2.Rod Kalaher (Kaw), 3.Alan Petty (Hon). 4.Bobby Walker (Hon).

OPN Stk: 1.Jared McKay (Hon), 2.Brian Klett (Kaw).

FAST TIME: JOSH DENSON 2.615, KX500