Kevin ‘Bubba’ Bonds ruined Mike Popham’s bid for a perfect night at the Cahokia Creek Dirt Riders hill climb near White City, Illinois.

            Popham set the early fast time with a 3.783 second time in the 250cc class, then beat that time himself in the second round with a 3.747 second run for the win on his YZ250. Stephen King took second with a 4.161 second time on his Yamaha.  Popham was even faster in the 450cc class, sailing his YZ450F over the top in 3.648 seconds in the first round to take the class lead and set a new fast time.   That time would hold up for the class win, and for Fast Time well into the second round. Matt Peters claimed second in the 450 class with a 3.846 second run on his KTM380.

            Popham continued his good riding in the 600cc class, posting a class leading 3.875 second time on his first ride on his Honda, and looked like he might well be on his way to a perfect night.  Bond was in fourth place at intermission, but unleashed an incredible high flying run on his Honda on his second attempt, flying high over the top in an outstanding 3.396 seconds, taking the class win and the Fast Time award – by a quarter of a second over the next fastest (that’s a lot).  Popham responded with a good 3.716 second run, but would have to settle for a second to go with his two wins – and three of the top four times of the night.

            The Bond family had a good evening, as Bubba’s father, Kevin L., claimed the Senior (+40) class win with a nice 4.137 second ride on his Honda in the first round, which held up for the class win.  Mark Peters was his closest challenger with a 4.214 second time on his KTM.

            Schuyler Kalaher and Paul Hillard also enjoyed double win evenings.  Kalaher got his first win in the 125cc class as he topped the hill in 4.640 seconds on his YZ125 in the first round, a time which held up for the win, with Ryan Petroski second in 4.862 seconds.  His second win came in the 200cc class with a 4.478 second run in the first round on his vintage KDX200.  Mike Peters carded a 4.483 second time on his Kawasaki for second place.

            Paul Hillard is currently leading in the points chase in both the 750cc and Open classes, and padded those leads by winning both classes.  Riding his 750cc Kawasaki triple he had to come from behind to win the 750cc class, as he crashed at 99 feet on his first ride.  Brent Land took the first round lead with a 4.215 second run on his Honda, but Hillard responded in the second round with a 4.053 second class winning run.  Bobby Walker crashed hard on his big four cylinder Suzuki trying to overtake Hillard, and reportedly suffered a dislocated shoulder and broken collarbone (ouch).  We all wish Bobby a swift recovery and hope to see him back soon.

            In Open Class action, Hillard posted a good 4.113 second time on his 800cc Kaw triple, which held up for the win, with Cody Jenner second.

            Thomas Goodnick was the best of the youth riders, topping the hill in 5.077 seconds to win the 85cc Junior Mini class and take the Youth Fast Time award.  District point leader Brett Kalaher took second.  In other youth class action, Levi Peters claimed the 50cc class win with Jedikiah Goering second, Shon Clavert was the 65cc class winner with Branson Stevenson second, and Devin Campbell was the fastest in the 85cc Senior Mini class with Austin Storm second. 

RESULTS:

50cc: 1.Levi Peters, 2.Jedikiah Goering, 3.Reece Hutton, 4.Kyle Peters.

65cc: 1.Shon Calvert, 2.Branson Stevenson, 3.Levi Peters.

85Jr: 1.Thomas Goodnick, 2.Brett Kalaher, 3.David Alhuers.

85Sr: 1.Devin Campbell, 2.Austin Storm.

125cc: 1.Schuyler Kalaher, 2.Ryan Petroski, 3.Rick Heltsley, 4.Devin Campbell, 5.Jacob Petty.

200cc: 1.Schuyler Kalaher, 2.Chris Peters.

250cc: 1.Mike Popham, 2.Stephen King, 3.Sean Emmenderfer, 4.Richard Vieregge, 5.Jeremy Remer.

450cc: 1.Mike Popham, 2.Matt Peters, 3.William Miller, 4.Tim Reid, 5.James Austin.

600cc:  1.Kevin ‘Bubba’ Bond’, 2.Mike Popham, 3.Chris Peters, 4.Matt Peters. 5.Cody Jenner.

600 4-St: 1.Matt Peters, 2.Tim Reid, 3.Mike Westhoff.

750cc: 1.Paul Hillard, 2.Brent Land, 3.Bobby Walker.

OPN: 1.Paul Hillard, 2.Cody Jenner.

+40: 1.Kevin L. Bond, 2.Mark Peters, 3.Mike Pulver, 4.Steve Horath.

+50: 1.Steve Horath.

400 St: 1.Jeremy Remer, 2.Richard Vieregge, 3.Sean Emmenderfer, 4.Mike Pulver, 5.Bill Short.

Opn St: 1.Mike Pulver, 2.Tim Reid.

WMN: 1.Lakota Ashworth.

Youth Fast Time: Thomas Goodnick, 5.077 Kawasaki

Amateur Fast Time: Kevin ‘Bubba’ Bond, 3.396, Honda

Kevin Bond

Bobby Walker