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HILLCLIMB ' .AMA National Championship Hillclimb Series '. Final Round: Devil's Staircase e .final ascent By Jay A. Herndon OREGONIA, OH,OCT. 9 ickey Dent finished his first year on.the Gerencer Harley team the same way he started it - taking top honors in the 800cc category. Dent secured the squad's 10th win in 12 events with a single blast up the treacherous climb, and celebrated with teammate Lou Ger encer [r ., who secured his second National title. Ted Wilkins topped the 540cc division, putting a bright spot on a year that had been plagued by mechanical problems. Wilkins' first scream up the Devil's Staircase secured his win, as his wheelie festival of a second ride - though crowdpleasing - proved slower. Paul Pinsonnault, who had clinched the crown one week before, finished sixth on the . day. The climb was held on the farm of Fritz Powell, and was hosted by the 84year-old Dayton M.e. It was quite different from what most of the competitors were used to seeing in Oregonia. A steep starting section flattened out at 35 feet, th en continued up to the first of three ju mps at the 200-foot mark. The other jumps came at 240 and 270 feet, and a breaker at 370 feet was just 50 feet short of the timing light. A crowd of 7500 was on hand.. M (Above) At the final hillclimb round of the year, Mickey Dent took the win In the 800cc division. (Left) After clinching the crown In the 540cc class one week earlier, Peul Plnsonnault finished sixth. (Right) Bob Hawk performs his version of a nac-nac over one of the hili's jumps. (Below) Ted Wilkins was the S40cc class winner. ~ 0\ 0\ T'""1 v;) N .... OJ E u o 38 Michel Pulver kicked off the 540cc class by shooting out of the pit and leaping off the .first jump. He drifted to the right before the first jump, ending the run at 9.581 seconds. Soon after, Paul Lowe motored his stretched Kawasaki to the top with a time of 9.153. Wilkins rolled his snowmobile-powered bike into the box and turned up the volume after straightening a squirm coming out of the hole. Wilkins kept the rear tire driving on the ground over the jumps, wheelying over the top with a blistering 7.982-second run. The second 540cc round saw Pulver settling for a 9.771,and Lowe also posted a slower time in his second try. "I love the way the hill was set up for today's event," said Lowe. "It makes it even when you don't have the horsepower some of the bikes have. " The Canadian Wilkins tried to improve upon his stellar first attempt, airing it out over the jum ps and fighting off a big wheelie. Though his time was just 9.228, his first-round time had secured his first win of the season. "I couldn't get a good holeshot because I've got three paddies missing off my paddle tire," said Wilkins of his winning run. "But once I broke that first breaker, all of a sudden it hooked up and it flew . It was flying and I wasn 't gonna back off for nothing." Alan Hoskins wheelied up the top half of the IU1l, posting his best time at 8.545 good for runner-up. "I was going to gear down on my second run, but I didn't:' said Hoskins. " I added four chain links...and it helped out just sweet. I just came over the jump and slammed third gear and took off. It worked out great." Gary Miller started the 15-rider 800cc division off with a no-holds-barred run, his nitro-burning Harley throwing a huge roost as he raged up the hill. Unfortunately, the timing lights malfunctioned and his time was not recorded. Miller returned two more times before he managed a 7.885. Dent had to roll out of the starting box and use the 1D-minute return rule as he repaired a mechanical problem on his · Harley. He returned to double the last two jumps, shooting up the right side in 7.494. Rodney Williams clocked in at 7.593, and was chased by Steve Dresser, who used body English to get his powerful Team USA Harley-Davidson through at 7.630. Miller's second try resulted in a bobble over the jumps, which meant he would have to stand by his first time. He 'was seventh when the results were tallied. Dent elected not to try and improve upon his impressive first run, and earned the 800cc class win. "I've had a couple of tough weeks:' said Dent. "I blew a motor in Jefferson and I had clutch problems last week. I just had a gut feeling it was going to be my week. I had a great ride and the bike ran well. It's been a good season for me. I pulled off three wins in . my first year out (as a Pro). What can a person ask for? It's jus t been a dream come true. L'" Devil's Staircase Oregonia, Ohio Results:OCtober9,1994 540: I. Ted Wilkins (Rtx ); 2. Alan H oskins (Ho n); 3. Paul Lowe (Kaw); 4. David warson (Kaw); 5. Rick Soter (BSA); 6. Paul Pinsonnault (Hon ); 7. Scott Everett (fri); 8. Roger McNeely (Yam); 9. Bob Hawk (BSA); 10. Paul Ga rrety (BSA); 11. Scott McN,. .ly (H on ); 12. Mike Pulver (Hon); 13. Jason Petty (Kaw); 14. Walter Herrick (Suz); 15 . James Zucco (Kaw); 16. Ernie Pellin (Hon); 17. Randy Dillon (Hon); 18. Bill Hi sl op (BSA); 19. Cur' Sn elling (Yam ); 20. Ralph Kreeger (fri); 21. David Hale (fri); 22. Kevin Zucco (Kew). lIOfr. I. Mickey Den. (H-D); 2. Rodney Williams (H-D); 3. Steve Dresser (H-D); 4. Lou Cerencer Jr. (H-D); S. Harry Schreiber (H-D); 6. Greg Williams (Hon); 7. Gary Miller (H·D); 8. Tim Zink (Tri); 9. Rodney Smith (BSA); 10. Wallace Fowler (Suz) ; 11. Jimmy Dingee (H~O); 12. Glendal Petty Jr . (H-D); 13. Randy Gabriel (H -D) ; 14. Mark Bulton (Nor); 15. Bob Castledine (H-D).