Eric Wheelwright had a near perfect day at the Variety Riders hillclimb on July 7, winning all three classes he entered. His perfect day was ruined, however, by Brent Stewart, who claimed the Fast Time award for the second straight day.

Wheelwright’s first win came in the 250cc class where the past 2000 National Champion flew over the top on his YZ250 in a blazing 3.076 seconds. His closest competitor was his good friend and traveling companion, Craig Schnitzler, who carded a fine 3.167 second time on his Honda. Kevin Cappello took third on his YZ250, followed by Cody Jenner and Paul Hackbarth.

Wheelwright’s second win came in the big and fast 600cc class, and his 3.016 second first round ride was good enough for the class win, and was fast time of the day at that point. He delivered an even faster 2.996 second run on his second round, trying to retake the Fast Time, but came up short of Stewart’s time. Schnitzler was second again, stopping the clocks in 3.050 seconds on his KTM550. Young Jake Tackitt was also fast, riding Gayle Jenkin’s CR500 to a 3.111 second third place, with Marc Stamm and Paul Hacbarth close behind on their Hondas. Wheelwright is the defending 600cc National Champion.

Wheelwright’s final win came in the 400cc Stock class where he sailed his YZ250 over in an astounding 3.024 seconds. Marc Stamm, riding for the first time after suffering extensive injuries in a hare scramble last fall, topped the hill in 3.266 seconds for second place on his Yamaha. Sam Cochran, Cody Jenner and Logan Carr filled out the top five places.

Stewart took the Fast Time award in the 450cc class, and had to work for it. Paul Hackbarth flew his KTM360 over the top in 3.190 seconds on his first ride to take the class lead, with Craig Schnitzler running second on his KTM with a 3.222 second run. Stewart was sitting in third with a 3.253 second first round ride. But in the second round, the two time National Champion blew over the 130 foot hill in a blistering 2.955 seconds, good enough for the class win and also the overall Fast Time award. Hackbarth and Schnitzler dropped to second and third, with Paul Hillard and Sam Cochran taking 4^th and 5^th.

Lloyd Haas was a double winner, taking his first in the 750cc class on his Kawasaki triple with a 3.320 second time. Darryl Johnson rode his vintage BSA to a second place finish, with Jason Northrup running third. Haas also took the win in the Open Stock with a 3.349 second run on his YZ426, with Steve Shafer and Mike Bacon in 2d and 3^rd.

Chad Cox made his first appearance in 2002 D-17 hillclimbing the previous day, riding in the 125cc class for the first time. He adapted to the 125 class very quickly, as he claimed the win on this day with a sizzling 3.287 second run on his KTM. Class leader Billy Hanes ran a good 3.325 seconds for second on his Honda and Brent Bowman was third in 3.467 seconds on his Honda. Bowman was particularly entertaining on his first ride when he tossed not only his chain, but his whole rear wheel as he topped the hill! Josh Denson and Jake Popham were 4^th and 5^th.

In Youth class action, ‘Dangerous’ Dylan Brady thrilled the crowd when he actually topped the hill on his 50cc Polini in 5.526 seconds to take the 50cc automatic class win. Steven Joe ‘Goose’ Weaver took the 85cc Junior Mini class win with Kevin Bond running second. John Gocken was the best of the Senior Mini riders, with Mike Popham in second place.

RESULTS:

50CC: 1. Dangerous Dylan Brady

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

85CC SR: 1.John Gocken (Kaw), 2.Mike Popham (Yam), 3.Chad Cox (Hon), 4.Bobby Senn (Kaw), 5.Nick Manning (Hon).

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

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

250CC: 1.Eric Wheelwright (Hon), 2.Craig Schnitzler (Hon), 3.Kevin Cappello (Yam), 4.Cody Jenner (Hon), 5.Paul Hackbarth (Yam).

450CC: Brent Stewart (KTM), 2.Paul Hackbarth (KTM), 3.Craig Schnitzler (KTM), 4.Paul Hillard (Yam), 5.Sam Cochran (Suz).

600CC: 1.Eric Wheelwright (Hon), 2.Craig Schnitzler (KTM), 3.Jake Tackitt (Hon), 4.Marc Stamm (Hon), 5.Paul Hackbarth (Hon).

750CC: 1.Lloyd Haas (Kaw), 2.Darryl Johnson (BSA), 3.Jason Northrup (Kaw), 4.Troy Levad (BSA), 5.Josh Carrier (Tri).

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

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

SNR: 1.Randy Trosper (Hon), 2.Mark Peters (KTM), 3.Kevin McKay (Kaw), 4.Mike Bacon (Mai), 5.Gayle Jenkins (Hon).

SSNR: 1.Gayle Jenkins (Hon), 2.Dorrance Johnson (BSA), 3.Bud Northrup (Hon).

400 STK: 1.Eric Wheelwright (Yam), 2.Marc Stamm (Yam), 3.Sam Cochran (Hon), 4.Cody Jenner KTM), 5.Logan Carr (Yam).

OPN STK: 1.Lloyd Haas (Yam), 2.Steve Shafer (Hon), 4.Mike Bacon (Mai).

600 4-STR: 1.Chase Johnson (Hon).

QUAD: 1.Paul Hillard (Yam).

FAST TIME: BRENT STEWART, KTM 380