Brent Stewart made only his second 2002 appearance in District 17 hillclimbing and made it worthwhile as the two time National Champion turned in the fastest time of the day on the Variety Riders 130 foot hill near Ottawa, Illinois. Riding a KTM380, Stewart posted a good 3.691 second time to take the class lead into intermission, but Wade Schultz was sitting on the Fast Time with an outstanding 3.234 second time in the Pushrod Class on his Harley. In the second round, Stewart displayed his National Champion style, flying his KTM over the top in 3.042 seconds, sealing the 450cc class win, and also setting a fast time no one would better. Matt Peters, also KTM mounted, was his closest class competitor with a 3.657 second time.

Young Jacob Tackitt turned out to be Stewart’s strongest challenger for the Fast Time award, however. Tackitt borrowed Gayle Jenkin’s CR500 and rode for the first time in the super competitive 600cc class, crashing at 110 feet on his first ride. Jason Northrup appeared to have the class won with a 3.224 second run on his Honda with Tackitt the only rider left in the second round, when the youngster from Mount Vernon flew over the top in a blistering 3.049 seconds to take the class win and nearly the fast time – only 7/1,000’s off Stewart’s time. Northrup had to settle for second, followed by Butch Fetters, Schultz and Don Sheridan Jr.

Schultz had a double win day, taking his first on his Yamaha twin with a fine 3.158 second time in the 750cc class, with Northrup taking second on his Kawasaki triple. Schultz took his second win in the Pushrod class with that excellent first round ride with young Jacob Bailey running second on his big Harley.

Gordon Green claimed his first win ever, riding his 1984 KDX200 to the win in the 200cc class with a 3.627 second time on his first ride. Kelly Senn was second on his KTM with a 3.716 second run, followed by Tackitt and Mike Peters.

Billy Hanes continued his hot riding in the 125cc class, stretching his point lead with a fine 3.559 second winning time on his CR125. Brent Bowman, running extended for the first time, turned a 3.651 second time on his Honda for second, followed by Josh Denson, Jake Popham and Chad Cox.

Kevin McKay was the best of the Senior Class (+40) riders, posting a 3.435 second run on his KX500. Mark Peters was very close to McKay, claiming second on his KTM550 with a 3.467 time. Mike Bacon, Gayle Jenkins and Bud Northrup filled out the top five places.

Other amateur class winners were Kevin Cappello in the 250cc class, Gayle Jenkins in the Super Senior class, Cody Jenner in the 400cc stock and Butch Fetters in the Open Stock class.

In Youth action, ‘Dangerous’ Dylan Brady stretched his point lead in the 50cc Automatic class with a 98 foot effort. Kevin Bond claimed the 85cc Junior Mini class win on his KX80 with a very good 4.026 second time, with Cody Rankin second with a very quick 4.058 second time on his YZ80. Mike Popham was the best of the Senior Mini riders, posting a 4.134 second time on his YZ85 for the win, with Bobby Senn close behind with a 4.186 second time on his KX80.

RESULTS:

50CC: 1.Dangerous Dylan Brady (Pol).

85CC JR: 1.Kevin Bond (Kaw), 2.Cody Rankin (Yam), 3.Goose Weaver (Kaw), 4.Chris Peters (Yam), 5.Drew Daniels (KTM).

85CC SR: 1.Mike Popham (Yam), 2.Bobby Senn (Kaw), 3.Chad Cox (Hon), 4.John Gocken (Kaw).

125CC: 1.Billy Hanes (Hon), 2.Brent Bowman (Hon), 3.Josh Denson (Hon), 4.Jake Popham (Yam), 5.Chad Cox (KTM).

200CC: 1.Gordon Green (Kaw), 2.Kelly Senn (KTM), 3.Jake Tackitt (Kaw), 4.Mike Peters (Kaw).

250CC: 1.Kevin Cappello (Yam), 2.Matt Peters (Hon), 3.Jared McKay (Yam), 4.Nate Simenec (Hon), 5.Drew Stewart (Kaw).

450CC: 1.Brent Stewart (KTM), 2.Matt Peters (KTM), 3.Paul Hillard (Yam), Sam Cochran (Suz), 5.Ernie Bruss (Yam).

600CC: 1.Jake Tackitt (Hon), 2.Jason Northrup (Hon), 3.Butch Fetters (Kaw), 4.Wade Schultz (Hon), 5.Don Sheridan Jr (Hon).

750CC: 1.Wade Schultz (Yam), 2.Jason Northrup (Kaw), 3.Jacob Bailey (Tri), 4.Greg Rankin (Yam).

OPN: 1.Jacob Bailey (H-D), 2.Steve Shafer (H-D), 3.Bill Myers (H-D).

PROD: 1.Wade Schultz (H-D), 2.Jacob Bailey (H-D), 3.Bill Myers (H-D), 4.Steve Shafer (H-D).

SENR: 1.Kevin McKay (Kaw), 2.Mark Peters (KTM), 3.Mike Bacon (Mai), 4.Gayle Jenkins (Hon), 5.Bud Northrup (ATK).

SSNR: Gayle Jenkins (Hon), 2.Bud Northrup (ATK).

400 STK: 1.Cody Jenner (KTM), 2.Matt Peters (Yam), 3.Sam Cochran (Hon), 4.Don Lewis (Yam), 5.Logan Carr (Yam).

OPN STK: 1.Butch Fetters (KTM), 2.Steve Shafer (Hon), 3.Mike Bacon (Mai),, 4.Bud Northrup (ATK).

QUAD: 1.Paul Hillard (Yam).

FAST TIME: BRENT STEWART, KTM380