Just over 200 riders made their way to Fordsville, North Dakota to compete in the second annual motorcycle hillclimb sponsored by the Eagle Ridge Motorcycle Club. The hill, though only 185 feet, proved to be a challenge for many of the riders. The starting area was short and began at an angle, making it difficult to gain speed. At the top of the hill, the timing lights were placed just past the crest of the hill. This forced riders to slow down enough to keep their bikes low to trip the lights. If they were to jump the lights, they would be given one more change at the hill before being awarded footage.

    In the 250 class, Montana’s Pete Loomis broke into the five second range with a 5.949 second ride. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota’s Jason Braun temporarily claimed the lead with a 5.391 second run, before his cousin Scott Braun took his Honda up the hill in 5.299 seconds. In the 400 class, Ellsworth, Wisconsin’s Todd Cipala claimed the fast time lead with a 5.276 second run until Plattsmouth, Nebraska’s Ernie Beckwith rode his KTM to a time of 5.116.

    Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s Chad Koopsma edged near the fours with a 5.057 second ride on his 500 class Honda, but Montana’s Pete Loomis flew up the hill in 4.882 seconds. Local rider Arnold Jelinek broke below Loomis’s time with a 4.870 second ride to eventually earn the class win. In the 750 class, Columbus, Montana’s Dusty Beer claimed the fast time lead with a 4.807 run on his Kawasaki. Beer returned in the Open class and dropped his time down with a 4.611 second run, earning the class win and fast time of the day honors.

    As the day wore on, the hill began to dry out and slow considerably. The vast majority of riders were unable to even approach the quick pace they had found during the first round. In the 80 Open, Senior class rider Tom Boerger took the early lead with a 6.004 second ride on his Harley, but was quickly overtaken by Red Wing, Minnesota’s Kurt Koester with a 5.353 second ride. Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s Chad Koopsma set another fast ride on his 500 class Honda and took the lead with a 5.305 second run. However, Beer returned on his Open class Kawasaki and set the fat ride of the second round with a time of 4.741 seconds. Beer attributed his win to his bike. "Pete Loomis helped build my new bike this year and it creates a huge amount of power," Beer commented.

Results

50 1. Devin Rachac 2.Danielle Gorder 3.Logan Cipala

80 1.Jay Sallstrom 2.Robert Bergner 3.Nate Redmann

125 1.Scott Braun 2.Kevin Braun 3.Jay Sallstrom

200 1.Jay Sallstrom 2.Shane Sandmeyer 3.Bill Paider

250 1.Scott Braun 2.Dusty Beer 3.Jason Braun

400 1.Ernie Beckwith 2.Todd Cipala 3.JJ Tilson

500 1.Arnold Jelinek 2.Pete Loomis 3.Dusty Beer

750 1.Dusty Beer 2.Arnold Jelinek 3.Kurt Koester

Open 1.Dusty Beer 2.Todd Cipala 3.Bill Paider

Sr 1.Tom Boerger 2.Greg Dahl 3.Ken Long

Women 1.Bobbi Cipala 2.Sara Waddell 3.Jessica Prebe

ATV 1.Tod Hintz 2.Sam Anderson

Fast time of the day Dusty Beer 4.611

80 Open Dusty Beer