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AMAIPace American National Hillclimb Championship Round B: Greasy Ridge National Hillclimb "The primary chain masterlink sheared in two," Libhart said. "I'll be happy with second place if my time holds up." Watson wasn't able to get his ride lined up, and again he went off the Ledge crossed up. He ended up losing a lot of time in the air trying to sort it all out and wasn't able to improve on his first run, settling for third place. "Well, I gave the guys behind me a point back in the race for the championship," he said. "I just couldn't get the ride through I needed to win. Third is not too bad tonight." BOOcc (Above) Chad Disbennett won his second 540cc National Hillclimb in a row In Haydenville, Ohio. HAYDENVILLE, OH, JULY 27 tF\\ hio riders James "Jammer" ~ Large and Chad Disbennett returned to the winner's circle in round six of the AMA National Championship Hillclimb Series, making it two races in succession that the pair shared the podium. Hot on the heels of victories in Minnesota, Large and Disbennett were at it again as they continue to chase down 800 and 540cc points leader Dave Watson, the championship leader finishing second and third, respectively, in Ohio. The Action Sports Promotions staff had to hold off until Thursday to dress the hill because of rain and, unfortunately, torrential rain on Saturday washed away all their hard work. By noon, the rain had cleared and everyone chipped in to help shape the approach to "The Ledge" - the most important section of the Haydenville hill. "When we got here, it didn't look like you were going to be able to jump it because the face of the hill was washed out," said Large, the twotime defending Greasy Ridge winner. 540cc AUGUST 14, 2002' eye I Disbennett explained later. "The pipe chasing points leader Watson, seemed to be in the groove, and he never backed off. "I get to be the guinea pig today and try the hill first," Libhart said. "This is a good hill to get an early ride on, though." Libhart's run became even more impressive as the riders following him seemed to struggle with the 275-foot hill. The rain had washed away the crest of the Ledge's lip, leaving it rounded off. That, combined with a slippery bottom, meant that the riders weren't able to get enough speed or height to jump as far as normal, and the rolling mound that was jumped in previous years wasn't touched. Kleeberg Sheet Metal/Factory Connection-backed Watson ended up cross-rutting up the face of the jump, forcin!1 him to roll out of the throttle and post a time of 6.235 seconds. "The ruts at the bottom are a problem," Watson admitted. Chris VanHyning and Rodney Williams each ran in the 65-second bracket, and then Disbennett pulled in on the Bo's Radical Racers/Thor/ Skunkworx-backed Triumph twin. From nearby Logan, Disbennett had a huge crowd of family and friends at the race, and he didn't disappoint them. Dropping the hammer on the The Budweiser/Damon's/Don Wood Automotive-sponsored event started at 7 p.m., when it was still daylight, and Phil Libhart, on the Kreeger Racing/Tuff Plates/Amsoilbacked Triumph twin, led off the proceedings with a solid 6.188-second run. Libhart, who is amo,r~g those 32 Triumph, Disbennett cross-rutted up the face of the hill, but he still made it (Below right) James Large also picked up his second consecutive win, his in the 800cc class. STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID L. PATTON, JR. • n e _ s work. The result: a 5.995-second run. , "My sock and foot was on fire," burned a hole right through my boot and my sock was smoldering." His hot ride held up through the rest of the round. Libhart was on the gas to open the final set of rides, but his bike died just 25 feet off the line. Defending Nationa I Champion Walter "Tiger" Strank Jr. nailed a good holeshot on his Dr. Bob Racing/B&B Sales and Service/Foxsponsored Yamaha Rl, but his run ended prematurely when he landed sideways after the Ledge and was highsided. "I knew when I was in the air that I probably couldn't save it, but I tried like hell," Strank said. Unhurt, Strank would come back strong in round two. Before the race, former three-time National Champion Large discussed