The Rock River Riders worked their already intimidating 130 foot hill over to make it even more challenging to riders on August 3. The addition of a 4 foot vertical cut at the 60 foot level made the rough, rutted hill almost impossible for small bikes, and very difficult for the big guys.

    Not so for the ‘Wild Child’, though. Tom Daniels, riding his 750cc Kawasaki triple powered ‘Wild Thing’, literally flew up the steep precipice in a startling 3.273 seconds on his first ride, setting a time no one would seriously challenge the rest of the day. Running at a slight angle with incredible acceleration, he appeared to barely notice the deep cut in the hill as he flew over it and on over the top. In second round action, he repeated his miraculous ride, but just a bit slower, posting a 3.542 second run. Lloyd Haas, also running a Kawasaki triple, was his closest challenger with a 3.711 second time – the only other rider in the class (and few all day) to top the hill on both his rides.

    Young Bill Myers had a double win day on his big bad Harley, winning both the Open and Pushrod classes. Sponsored by Brad Henry of Straightline Performance in Belvidere, Illinois, Myers was the only rider in the Open class to see the top of the hill, carding a 5.480 second time to take the win. Steve Shafer took second place on his Harley with a crash at 101 feet.

    Myers brought his Harley back in the Pushrod class and sailed it over the top in a fine 4.165 seconds, taking the class win in a convincing fashion. The Schultz brothers, Lane and Wade, finished second and third with 4.811 second and 4.935 second rides, with Tim Wiggins and Scott Sheets Jr also topping the hill for 4^th and 5^th. Steve Shafer, however, might be considered the big winner in the class as his sixth place finish was enough to win him the 4 foot tall traveling Pushrod Trophy jointly sponsored by the Rock River Riders and the Variety Riders.

    Jesse Wellenstein rode his Gas Gas to the win in the 400 Stock class and also a 4^th place finish in the 250cc modified class. His biggest contribution, however, was an incredible halftime show of his Trials skills. It was easy to see from watching his unbelievable riding that he is a true national champion in his sport.

    In youth class action, Kevin Bond moved closer to the point leader in the 85cc class with a 80 foot winning ride on his Kawasaki, with Adrian Book delivering a 72 foot ride for second. Kyle Jacobs also climbed 72 feet but had to settle for third as Book beat him on their tie breaking ride. Chad Cox climbed 85 feet on his Honda to win the 85cc Senior Mini class with class point leading Mike Popham in second on his YZ85 with a 78 foot effort.

    In other amateur class action, Shawn Mortenson claimed the 125cc Class win, Glen Fuegen was the 200cc Class winner and Craig Schnitzler was the best of the 250cc class. National Champ Brent Stewart was the fastest guy in the 450cc class, Lane Schultz was the 600 class winner and Jerome Beckley claimed the Senior class win (Is he really that old?). Marv ‘Marvelous’ Wiemkin was the best of the AARP crowd (50+), Terry Meiners won the Open Stock and Lloyd Haas was the best of the 600 four stroke riders.

RESULTS:

85CC Jr: 1.Kevin Bond (Kaw), 2.Adrian Book (Kaw), 3.Kyle Jacobs (Suz), 4.Andrew Ballard (Kaw), 5.Brittany Schroeder (KTM).

85CC Sr: 1.Chad Cox (Hon), 2.Mike Popham (Yam), 3.Joe Goebel (Suz), 4.Jake Lewis (Kaw), 5.Bobby Senn (Kaw).

125CC: 1.Shawn Mortenson (Suz), 2.Chad Cox (KTM), 3.Dan Myers (Yam), 4.Jared Patterson (Kaw), 5.Chris Senn (Hon).

200CC: 1.Glen Fuegen (Kaw), 2.Jerome Beckley (Kaw), 3.Jacob Steder 9Kaw), 4.Chris Senn (Kaw).

250CC: 1.Craig Schnitzler (Hon), 2.Kevin Cappello (Kaw), 3.Paul Hackbarth (Yam), 4.Jesse Wellenstein (Gas), 5.Adam Book (Hon).

450CC: 1.Brent Stewart (KTM), 2.Craig Schnitzler (KTM), 3.Paul Hackbarth (KTM), 4.Jerome Beckley (Yam), 5.Bill Stark (Kaw).

600CC: 1.Lane Schultz (Hon), 2.Frank Kopetko (Kaw), 3.Wade Schultz (Hon), 4.Lloyd Haas (Hon), 5.Paul Hackbarth (Hon).

750CC: 1.Tom Daniels (Kaw), 2.Lloyd Haas (Kaw), 3.Wade Schultz (Yam), 4.Lane Schultz (Yam), 5.Mike Sarver (Kaw).

OPN: 1.Bill Myers (H-D), 2.Steve Shafer (H-D), 3.Scott Sheets Jr (H-D), 4.Jacob Bailey (H-D).

SENR: 1.Jerome Beckley (Yam), 2.Don Sheridan Sr (Hon), 3.Marv Wiemken (Hon), 4.Roger Hackbarth (Hon), 5.Dan Cox (KTM).

SSNR: 1.Marv Wiemken (Hon), 2.Roger Hackbarth (Hon), 3.Greg Haas (Yam).

PROD: 1.Bill Myers (HD), 2.Lane Schultz (Nor), 3.Wade Schultz (HD), 4.Tim Wiggins (Tri), 5.Scott Sheets Jr (HD).

400 STK: 1.Jesse Wellenstein (Gas), 2.Don Sheridan Jr (Yam), 3.Matt Ringstrom (Kaw).

OPN STK: 1.Terry Meiners (Hon), 2.Mike Bacon (Mai).

600 4-Str: 1.Lloyd Haas (Yam), 2.Ron Jacobs (Suz), 3.Curt Randall (Yam).

FAST TIME: TOM DANIELS, 3.273; KAWASAKI 750 TRIPLE