The King City Dirt Riders closed out both the District 15 and District 17 Hillclimb seasons on September 29 with the Katie Fisher Fund hillclimb.

In District 17, (Illinois), Andy ‘Fast Andy’ Fortner and Steve Shafer were both double class winners. Fortner took the titles in the 600CC and 750CC classes with Shafer the champion in the Open and Open Pushrod classes. Fortner also claimed nine fast time awards in 2002 – a very productive year for the Pittsboro, Indiana native.

Other champions are ‘Dangerous’ Dylan Brady (50CC), Steven Joe ‘Goose’ Weaver (Jr Mini), Mike Popham (Sr Mini), Billy ‘Smilin Bill’ Hanes, Jacob ‘Crazy Jake’ Tackitt (200cc), Jared McKay (250cc), Matt ‘Captain America’ Peters (450cc), Randy ‘Rocketman’ Trosper (Senior), Gayle ‘Old Pro’ Jenkins (Super Senior), Matt Ringstrom (400 Stock) and Butch ‘Fearless’ Fetters (Open Stock). Fetters, the 600cc 4-stroke National Champion also was the top district point winner in that class, but it was run as an exhibition class in 2002 – it will be a point-paying class in 2003.

In District 15, ‘Fast Andy’ Fortner was a TRIPLE class champion, adding the 400CC stock class to wins in the 600cc and 750cc classes. Dylan Brady, ‘Goose’ Weaver, Mike Popham, Jake Tackitt, Jared McKay, Billy Hanes, Randy Trosper, Gayle Jenkins and Butch Fetters won the same classes they did in D-17. Steve Shafer took the Open Pushrod Class Championship again but finished second in the Open class behind hard riding Randy ‘Buzz’ Green.

Paul Hillard was a double champion, taking the 450cc class win by a single point over Matt Peters. Hillard also took the championship in the Quad class, a class not run for points in District 17.

Season Award Jackets and other awards will be given at each district’s Awards Banquet. District 17 riders will get their banquet announcements by mail, while D-15 riders will find their banquet registration form included in this edition of CYCLE USA. Riders should check with their District hillclimb directors if they are uncertain whether or not they will be getting an award. That would be Bud Northrup in D-17 (217-586-2406; bud@kaleb-world.com) and Scott Petty in D-15 (317-858-7450; sandrpetty@msn.com).

[Editor's note:  See the full District 15 and 17 points in their respective sections of this site!]