Eric Wheelwright proved you didn’t have to have a big engine to do well at the Ottawa hill climb, coming out on top in the two most important impressive areas – Fast Time of the Day and King of the Hill – on a 250cc Yamaha!. 

            Mike Popham set the first round Fast Time on his YZ450F with a very quick 3.566 second time in the 450cc class – a time which would hold up for the class win.  Paul Hackbarth ran second with a 3.714 second time on his Yamaha.

            Wheelwright had posted a 3.632 second time on his YZ250 to take the first round lead in the 250cc – which would have been good enough for that class win.  But in the second round, he pinned the throttle and flew high over the top of the 130 foot hill in a sizzling 3.480 seconds to seal the class win and set a new Fast Time.  That Fast Time would hold up for the rest of the day.  It is rare for a bike as small as a 250 actually be the fastest on a hill – but it does happen now and then, and it’s not the first time Wheelwright has done it.  Mike Popham was also Wheelwright’s closest challenger in the 250cc class with a 3.941 second time on his Yamaha.

            Popham still had a good day, however, as he claimed 2 class wins on his YZ450F Yamaha.  His first came in the 450cc class noted above, the second coming in the 600cc 4-Stroke class where his first round 3.647 second run held up for the win with Scott Lisk claiming second with a 3.786 second time.

            Popham’s stepbrother, Cody Jenner, also enjoyed a double win day.  His first win came in the 600cc class where he had to come from behind to win after carding an un-Jenner like 5.535 second first round ride and found himself in sixth place at intermission, with Paul Hackbarth sitting on the top spot with a 3.612 second time on his CR500.  Jenner recovered his ‘normal’ riding style in the second round and flew his Honda over the crest in 3.575 seconds to take the win from Hackbarth, who was fast again, but couldn’t improve on his first ride.

            Jenner didn’t wait long to put the winning time on the board in the open class, as he blasted over the hill in 3.665 seconds on his first ride on his big bore Kawasaki four banger.  That time would have won the class, but he rode again and posted an even better 3.582 seconds on his second ride.  Paul Hillard, riding a 800cc Kawasaki two stroke three banger, claimed the second spot with a 3.843 second run.

            Mike Bacon continued his excellent season by winning both senior classes on his CR500.  He was in second place in the Senior (+40) class at intermission behind Mike Pulver who had carded a 4.023 second time on his Honda.    But Bacon had a little more to offer, and sailed over the top in 3.706 seconds to take the win.  Then Kevin L. Bond also slipped under Pulver with a 3.957 second time to claim the second spot.

            Bacon’s first ride in the Super Senior class (+50) of 3.971 seconds was good for that win, with Don Lewis second.  Bacon has yet to be beaten this year in this class. 

            The ten fastest riders of the day battled in a one run, winner take all ‘King Of The Hill’ shootout, with Eric Wheelwright emerging  as the ‘King’ – based on his 3.452 second run – actually faster than his Fast Time Award winning ride.  Cody Jenner was very close to him with a 3.477 second time for second place.

            In youth class action Brett Kalaher stopped the clock in 4.626 seconds to take the 85cc Junior Mini class win and Youth Fast Time.  Logan Moody was second.  Steve ‘Bug’ Coon Jr was the 50cc winner with Dakota ‘D.J.’ Watson second while Logan Moody took the 65cc class win with Morgan Wheelwright second. 

RESULTS:

50cc:  1.Steve ‘Bug’ Coon Jr, 2.Dakota ‘D.J.’ Watson.

65cc: 1.Logan Moody, 2.Morgan Wheelwright, 3.Steve ‘Bug’ Coon Jr, 4.Dakota ‘D.J. Watson.

85Jr: 1.Brett Kalaher, 2.Logan Moody, 3.Matt Kinkin, 4.Morgan Wheelwright.

125cc: 1.Matt Altfillisch, 2.Chad Altfillisch, 3.Schuyler Kalaher, 4.Jessica Coon.

200cc: 1.Robin Senn, 2.Schuyler Kalaher.

250cc: 1.Eric Wheelwright, 2.Mike Popham, 3.Blake Cappello, 4.R.D. Miller III, 5.Matt Altfillisch.

450cc: 1.Mike Popham, 2.Paul Hackbarth, 3.Scott Lisk, 4.Andy Groth, 5.Chris Senn.

600cc:  1.Cody Jenner, 2.Paul Hackbarth, 3.Scott Lisk, 4.Eric Wheelwright, 5.Kenny Coon.

600 4-St: 1.Mike Popham, 2.Scott Lisk, 3.Paul Hackbarth, 4.R.D. Miller III, 5.Bobby Senn.

750cc: 1.Paul Hillard, 2.Bobby Senn, 3.Bobby Walker, 4.Shawn Mortenson, 5.Chris Senn.

OPN: 1.Cody Jenner, 2.Paul Hillard, 3.R.D. Miller II, 4.Terry Bailey.

+40: 1.Mike Bacon, 2.Kevin L. Bond, 3.Mike Pulver.

+50: 1.Mike Bacon, 2.Don Lewis.

400 Stk: 1.Mike Pulver, 2.Kyle Galloway.

Opn Stk: 1.Mike Pulver, 2.Kyle Galloway, 3.Bobby Walker.

WMN: 1.Brandy ‘Bumble Bee’ Coon, 2.Morgan Wheelwright, 3.Jessica Coon.

KOTH: 1.Eric Wheelwright, 2.Cody Jenner, 3.R.D. Miller III, 4.Mike Popham, 5.Blake Cappello.

YOUTH FAST TIME:  Brett Kalaher

AMATEUR FAST TIME: Eric Wheelwright.

Eric Wheelwright