The Rock River Riders of Polo, Illinois, held the last District 17 hill climb of the season.  Wade (Wild Wade) Schultz was the big winner, taking three class wins and the coveted Fast Time award. His first win came in the large and fast 600cc class where his 3.329 second time in the first round on his CR500 set the Fast Time in the class and temporarily overall. In second round action, Paul Hackbarth flew his Honda over the top of the 140 foot hill in a sizzling 3.175 seconds to take the class lead, but Schultz responded with an incredible 2.956 second run to take the class win, and set a new overall fast time that would not be seriously challenged.  He was the only rider of the day to break the 3 second barrier on the steep 150 foot hill.

              Schultz’s second win came in the 750cc class, where he had to come from behind.  Crashing at 123 feet on his first ride, he found himself in seventh place at intermission, but he maintained control of his screaming Yamaha on his second ride to post a 3.610 second time to take the win from Bobby Walker who topped out in 3.788 seconds on his Suzuki four banger.

            In Open Class action, Schultz’s 3.182 second run on his big bore Suzuki was the fastest overall in the first round, and held up for the class win.  Lloyd Haas was second in 3.454 seconds on his 800cc Kawasaki triple with Shane Green claiming third on his first competitive run on his new ride, a Yamaha FJ1200 built by Jeff Thomas for Jason Northrup.

            Eric Wheelwright had a very good day also, with two class wins as well as winning the one run best of the best ‘King of the Hill’ shootout.  His first class win came in the 250cc class where he first ride of 4.278 seconds had him in first place as only 3 riders managed to top the hill.  In second round action, the hill was worn down and much easier, with the times coming down.  Matt Altfillisch moved in to the class lead with a 4.148 second time, but Wheelwright countered with a blazing 3.522 seconds on his Yamaha, the only rider in the class to run under four seconds.

            Wheelwright’s 3.835 seconds on his first ride in the 450cc class put him in first place at intermission, but in the second round it was beaten by five riders.  As in the 250cc class, Wheelwright was up to the challenge, flying his CR450 over the top in 3.298 seconds for the win.  Paul Hackbarth was his closest challenger with a good 3.321 second time on his KTM360.     

            Eric wasn’t the only winner in the family as his daughter, Morgan, won both the 50cc and 65cc youth classes.

            John Steffen also enjoyed a double win day, taking his first in the Senior (+40) class.  His 3.591 second ride in the first round held up for the win, followed by a 3.615 second effort in the second round which also would have been a winner.  Don Sheridan claimed second with a 3.618 second time.

            Steffen continued his good riding in the Super Senior (+50) class with a 3.574 second time, again good enough for the class win, as his second round 3.649 second time, the only rider to run under four seconds in the class.  Steve Daniels claimed second with a 4.062 second time.

Results:

50cc: 1.Morgan Wheelwright, 2.Steve ‘Bug’ Coon Jr.

65cc: 1.Morgan Wheelwright.

85Jr: 1.Matt Kinkin.

85Sr: 1.Josh Beckley, 2.Glen Poppen, 3.Jessica Coon, 4.Colter Heinz.

125cc: 1.Caleb Emory, 2.Tom Mangan, 3.Matt Steffan, 4.Jake Rogers.

250cc: 1.Eric Wheelwright, 2.Matt Altfillisch, 3.Bruce Holeton, 4.Drew Daniels, 5.Mike Popham.

450cc: 1.Eric Wheelwright, 2.Paul Hackbarth, 3.Shane Green, 4.Cody Jenner, 5.Chris Senn.

600cc: 1.Wade Schultz, 2.Paul Hackbarth, 3.Lloyd Haas, 4.Eric Wheelwright, 5.Cody Jenner.

600 4-St: 1.Mike Popham, 2.Paul Hackbarth, 3.Rick Ness, 4.Andy Groth, 5.Adam Haas.

750cc: 1.Wade Schultz, 2.Bobby Walker, 3.Lloyd Haas, 4.Chris Senn, 5.Bill Myers.

OPN: 1.Wade Schultz, 2.Lloyd Haas, 3.Shane Green, 4.Charles Casey, 5.Lane Schultz.

PRD: 1.Lane Schultz, 2.Robert Crowder, 3.Terry Bailey, 4.Nate Simenec.

+40: 1.John Steffen, 2.Don Sheridan, 3.Charlie Baldridge, 4.Jerome Beckley, 5.Mike Bacon.

+50: 1.John Steffen, 2.Steve Daniels, 3.Dorance Johnson, 4.Greg Haas, 5.Steve Horath.

400 Stk: 1.Glen Fuegen, 2.Danny Schumann.

KOTH: Eric Wheelwright

FAST TIME: Wade Schultz, 2.956, Honda

YOUTH FAST TIME: Joshua Beckley, 135 feet