JENNER FAST, WHEELWRIGHT KING AT ROCK RIVER RIDERS HILL CLIMB

By: Bud Northrup - Polo, IL - June 20, 2004

    Cody Jenner, for the second straight day, claimed the coveted Fast Time award. Riding his CR500 in the 600cc class, he came from the middle of the pack after the first round, flying high over the 150 foot hill in 3.141 seconds for the class win, and also setting a fast time which would not be matched. Lloyd Haas was close on Jenner’s time with a fine 3.220 second run on his Honda with Eric Wheelwright close on his tail with a 3.234 second run.

    Wheelwright was still a big winner, however, as he took the crown in the King Of The Hill one run shootout of the 10 fastest riders of the day. His time of 3.183 seconds took the win, with Paul Hackbarth carding a 3.262 second time for runner up honors. Jenner finished third with a 3.597 second run. Wheelwright also added to his prize money by winning the 400cc Stock class with a fine 4.115 second time on his YZ250 Yamaha. Glen Fuegen was the only other rider to see the top in this class, taking second on his Suzuki in 4.658 seconds.

    Haas also had a very good day, taking wins on his Kawasaki triples in both the 750cc and Open classes. Riding his National Championship 750cc triple, he snapped Jason Northrup’s 10 event win streak – and had to come from behind to do it. He had crashed on his first ride, and Northrup booked a class leading 3.587 second run on his triple in the second round. But Haas was up to the challenge and blasted over the top in 3.464 seconds to take the win.

    Haas rode his 800cc triple in the Open Class and took the first round lead with a 4.212 second run. But Mike Kessel put the pressure on him when he flew his big four cylinder Kawasaki ‘Iron Coffin’ over the top in second round action in 3.452 seconds. ‘Iron Mike’ paid painfully for the ride, however, as the big Kaw rotated forward in the air, tossing Mike to the ground, then hammering down on him. Mike was transported to the hospital with serious injuries – we all hope to see him healed and back in action soon. Haas then unleashed his triple and skied over the top in 3.417 seconds to slip under Kessel’s time for the class win.

    Veteran Ron Todd also was a double winner. The 52 year old farmer from Ridge Farm, Illinois showed all the ‘youngsters’ in the Senior (40+) class how it should be done when he flew his KX500 over the top in 3.504 seconds to overtake Don Sheridan who had delivered a 3.852 second time to take the class lead.

    Just minutes later, Todd returned to claim the win in the Super Senior (50+) class with a 3.734 second run. Marv Wiemkin was second with a 4.223 second time, while National Champion Greg Haas took third in 4.425 seconds.

    In Youth class action, Jeremiah Lyday rode his Cobra 70 feet for the 50cc class win, ‘Jammin’ Joe’ McGurer got 55 feet on his KX65 for the 65cc class win, Derek Swanson actually topped the hill in 7.117 seconds on his KTM85 to win the 85cc Junior Mini class, and Mike Popham topped the hill in an excellent 5.873 seconds on his YZ85 to take the Senior Mini class win.

RESULTS:

50cc Auto: 1.Jeremiah Lyday (Pol), 2.Garrett Holycross (KTM), 3.Chelsea Gill (Hon), 4.Lauren Shafer (KYM), 5.Brennon Nootbar.

65cc: 1.Joe McGurer (Kaw), 2.Dan Overhulser (Hon), 3.Matt Overhulser (Hon), 4.Brett Kalaher (Kaw).

85cc Jr: 1.Derek Swanson (KTM), 2.Drew Daniels (KTM), 3.Jeremy James (Kaw), 4.Schuyler Kalaher (Kaw), 5.Jake Wood (Suz).

85cc Sr: 1.Mike Popham (Yam), 2.Andrew Ballard (Kaw), 3.Blake Cappello (Kaw), 4.Shane Green (Yam), 5.Justin James (Kaw).

125cc: 1.Richard Miller III (Kaw), 2.Shane Green (Yam), 3.Kevin Bond (Hon), 4.Jared Patterson (Kaw), 5.Mike Popham.

200cc: 1.Jake Tackitt (Kaw), 2.Kelly Senn (KTM), 3.Chris Senn (Kaw), 4.Don Whaley (Suz), 5.Jimmy Cox (Kaw).

250cc: 1.Eric Wheelwright (Yam), 2.Marc Stamm (Yam), 3.Adam Haas (Yam), 4.Sam Cochran (Hon), 5.Brian Ballard (Suz).

450cc: 1.Paul Hackbarth (KTM), 2.Josh Denson (KTM), 3.Jerome Beckley (Yam), 4.Cody Jenner (Yam), 5.Sam Cochran (Suz).

600cc: 1.Cody Jenner (Hon), 2.Lloyd Haas, (Hon), 3.Eric Wheelwright (Hon), 4.Jon Creek (Hon), 5.Marc Stamm (Hon).

600CC 4-St: 1.Josh Eads (Yam), 2.Paul Hackbarth (Yam), 3.Josh Denson (KTM), 4.Curt Randall (Yam), 5.Jake Popham (Yam).

750cc: 1.Lloyd Haas (Kaw), 2.Jason Northrup (Kaw), 3.Mike Sarver (Kaw), 4.Dale Levan (Suz), 5.Paul Hillard (Kaw).

OPEN: 1.Lloyd Haas (Kaw), 2.Mike Kessell (Kaw), 3.Steve Shafer (H-D), 4.Casey Rick (H-D), 5.Jason Northrup (Yam).

+40: 1.Ron Todd (Kaw), 2.Don Sheridan (Hon), 3.Kevin McKay (Kaw), 4.Steve Shafer (H-D), 5.Jerome Beckley (Yam).

+50: 1.Ron Todd (Kaw), 2.Marv Wiemken (Hon), 3.Greg Haas (Hon).

PROD: 1.R.D. Miller II (H-D), 2.Nate Simenec (H-D), 3.Steve Shafer (H-D), 4.Casey Rick (H-D), 5.Dan Walstad (BSA).

400 Stk: 1.Eric Wheelwright (Yam), 2.Glen Fuegen (Suz), 3.Jack Thomas (Yam), 4.R.J. Watson (Hon), 5.Brian Ballard (Kaw).

OPN Stk: 1.Glen Fuegen (Yam), 2.Kurt Krohmer (Hon), 3.Jared McKay (Hon), 4.Joe Desmarais (KTM), 5.Mike Bacon (Mai).

KOTH: 1.Eric Wheelwright (Hon), 2.Paul Hackbarth (Hon), 3.Cody Jenner (Hon), 4.Jon Creek (Hon), 5.Ron Todd (Kaw).

FAST TIME: CODY JENNER 3.141, HONDA CR500

Mike Kessell ponders his impending doom...

Jason Northrup's slightly singed FJ is lifted over the top of the hill

Reigning national champ Lloyd Haas noses his 750 in for a landing