Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Strank's second run was perfect, tripping the lights at 22.456 and giving him the top time in the under 100cc bracket. He also gained a 11 plate in the Mini 6-11 class. Good weather left the four breaker hill loose and dusty on Sunday with long travel. high traction bikes producing impressive runs. Charlie Ford of Colorado retained his 250cc crown by launching his Suzuki RM perfectly and never letting off for a 14.212. Hometown favorite Dean Gerdes had the hill wired, laying down two runs timed unofficially in the twelves, but due to timing light problems had to settle for second in the 250cc class with a 14.347. The first double breaker ate tDOre than its share of 750cc and Open bikes. but Tom Elmore again played Superman and worked his magic Kawasaki triple to his third consecutive National Championship in the Open class with a 12.728. Bennie Litwin registered a 12.924 to best Gary Waddell's extraordinary Yamaha 1100 by three thousandths. Waddell's bike always drew a crowd, featuring a Trackmaster frame. chain drive. motor work by Bill Toman, twin Solex carbs and a chain saw staner. When asked who sponsors his high buck pr~ Waddell said, "I don't want anybody sponsoring me. because I do what I want to do the way I want to do it, and I don't want anyone telling me anything difJerentl" Les Roder spit a chain Sunday but came back on Monday to claim the 750cc class with the only other 11 second effon of the day. Sunday night brought a half inch of rain and on Monday the hill was slick until the 200cc machines topped the crest. A new set of lights cured all problems and Mike Bronk chopped two and a half seconds off his previous time, thereby keeping the 200cc crown in Wisconsin for a second year. Dave Cabak had the lone 17 second run in this class while· Mel Piontek was the only 200cc in the eighteeJ;ls. By Monday the two breakers had been destroyed. leaving the big jump at 100 feet a really tough section. Bob Schreiner blasted a Montesa to a win in the 372cc class over Erik Goehrs. Wheelie King Doug Domokos performed both days. There were no protests, leaving race director Gil Goehrs happy when it was all over. • ...... QO 0') ...... Results A large crowd of spectators had 8 good time W8tChing entr8nts jBm up the 500 foot hill. AMA National Champ-ionshjp Amateur/Youth Hilldimb Knapp levels Valley Springs By Bob Benedum BAY CITY, WI, SEPT. 6-7 Two hundred and forty-two riders tested the 500 foot Valley Springs hill in the AMA Amateur/Youth Hillclimb final, and Mike Knapp of Minnesota was the king with all. 055 run 16 on his 420cc Kawasaki. Knapp could hav~ loaded ~p and gone home with the Win I after a 11.~5~ run on Sunday, but put in his best run on Monday trying to beat Steve Kain's record of 10.67. Knapp held it wide open over the fU'St set of double breakers and jammed up the hill en route to his top run. collecting National II for the effon. He credited a 5.10 TeraDex tire and Midway Auto in Red Wing, Minnesota, for putting him in the winner's circle. Knapp spent Friday night frantically rebuildmg his motor after a piston seizure. The first rider to attack the hill on Sunday was Walter Strank Jr., 9, who weights 52 pounds. He astounded everyone by powering his Kawasaki KX80 over the crest, but the timing lights didn't trip. The problem reo occurred a dozen times Sunday. "It's quite possible the fastest time on this hill was DOt recorded," said AMA refereeJack Hubbard. OVERALl: Mike K"-IKew). 85cc 18-111: 1. W_ St>onk Jr. lKew); 2. "... _ IKewt; 3. JftII Ptorna (Vern); 4. Eric _ _ lVern); 5. Jeremy llIor.- lSuzl; 8. John AIfonl (Vim); 7. Jell n - lSud; 8. Jemeo e (Vlml; 9. e- Northrup; 10. Tony W .... lKewI. 85cc 112-141: 1. Tim _ lKewt; 2. 80bbi Jo -.tlurD 1Kewt; 0Wa MC:ooweIl . lKewt; _ John _ k>nl; 5. 3. Doua Foo. . ISuzl; 6. 4. DufIIng 1Kewt; 7. Melt fIoonl< (Vlml; &. Chert. 0 . (Vern); 9. Cert Stoltz lSuzl; 10. T..., Litwin (Vern). l00cc: 1. Dene IllelZ (Vlml; 2. PII _ (Kewl; 3. Corey Wood (Vern!; 4. Eric _ (Kewt; 5. Mike Oberg lSuzl; 8. . . . - llurIt Jr. (Vern); 7. Salft _ lSud;&. Bob ~ lSud;9. Tom _lSuzl; 10. Rid< _ISuzl. 125cc: 1. _ ~ lSuzl; 2. Bob _ (Vern); 3. _ _ lSuzl; 4. Stew KeyIor (Vim); 5. Stew Browning lHon); 8. Roy _ lHonI; 7. _ Cain (Vern); 8. Dennis ~'" (Vern); 9. Toby DieIzIalSuzl; 10. VJ.-.. Veng (Vim). 2llOcc: 1. MIke . . . . (Vlml; 2. Devid CIhII<; 3. Mel Ptorna (Vern); 4. 0-. _ _ (VemI; 5. Todd _ (Vim); 8. Den _lKawl; 7. Mike Jar.(Vern); 8. Bob Morel; 9. Bob 1lufIenmyer; 10. John - 2SOcc: 1. Cherteo Food lSuzl; 2. 0-. ~ lSuzl; 3. Gory InnwllSuzl; 4. Tim Rid-ve e.- ITnl; 10. Mil

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