Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Canada's Greg Williams won the 800cc class, moving into a tie for second in points behind brother Wade, who leads the series with five events remaining. Frazier, Williams top Hocking Valley Premier By Timothy Hall LOCAN,OH,JULY 12 On a new hill in the hometown of hillclimbing legend Earl Bowlby, race organizer Tim Frazier won the 540cc class, wh1le Greg Williams topped the 800cc category. Through the combined efforts of the Professional Hillclimbers Association and many supporters of the sport, the Hocking Valley Hillclimb has been added to the circuit. The efforts did not go unanswered, as crowd attendance exceeded expectations by a substantial margin. Veteran talent proved indispensable, as many of the competitors were unable to conquer the hill. National Champion Frazier, who ended his season-and-ahalf winning streak at the previous round (courtesy of Paul Pinsonnault,) was able to tum the tables and again end up a winner on his BSA, while the consistent and aggressive Hondamounted Williams family from Canada did well in the big-bore class. Greg won, followed by brother Wade in second. Their father John finished the day in fifth. The hill climbed 200 feet, had a sharp breaker jump, then continued another 60 feet to the top. The breaker was about five feet wide and difficult to reach due . to the loose shale below. Half of the 21rider 540cc field, which opened the event, 'had to settle for distance runs on their first attempts. As with most hills, however, the path got faster as ruts developed and the loose topsoil was displaced. As Paul Pinsonnault explained, "The bottom part 'of the hill felt like there was plenty of traction, and felt like (the bike) wanted to go. But at the 130foot mark, there's a lot of shale and rock across the entire hill, and that's where the bikes start spinning." Rookie Aaron Brown was the first over the top of .the hill aboard his twostroke Honda. He recorded a 1O.79-second time, but was quickly outdone as 18-year veteran John Hislop slipped in a convincing 7.90 run. Hislop's time was tops for eight more rides. Frazier was fooled by the hill at the slick spot and dumped it at 150 feet. Then Pinsonnault brought his nitro-burning Honda to task, clocking a 7.81 run. Top riders Ted Wilkins and Steve Dresser found the ride up very difficult in the first round. Dresser lost control at 173 feet and Wilkins got dirt in his bike's clutch and pulled a 9.48. Scott Everett put in a 7.93 time with his nitrofueled Triumph twin, clearing the breaker and nailing the throttle to push over the top about a tenth of a second behind Pinsonnault. This placed Everett in third position for the round, behind Hislop and Pinsonnault. 'The day had a downside, as 800ccclass BSA-rider Mark Swem was injured and taken to the hospital when a he was hit in the eye by a rock that was propelled off the course. Swem has since been released from the hospital, and while he received a concussion and temporarily lost the vision in his right eye, he is expected to be back to normal in two to three weeks. Also, a cameraman had a scare when he fell beneath a chain-clad hillclimbing bike, but fortunately his injuries were not serious. In addition to the unexpected injuries, 92-degree heat and rising Tim Frazier extended his series lead in the 540cc class with his third win of the season. humidity put a slight damper on the day. Steve Krauter was up to the line first in the 800cc class, and established a time under 10 seconds on his Harley. This was just a warm-up compared to the runs to follow. John Williams turned in a time under nine seconds, and then Wade Williams knocked two more seconds off the clock with a blistering 6.574-second pass, lining up on the left side of the course and powering all the way up without backing off. With his new line, Williams was able to jump the breaker rather than ride through it. None of the other riders in the class were close to Williams' time in round ..one. The top times after his were a 7.41 by his brother Greg, a 7.787 by Tom Reiser, and an 8.132 by Jeff Yoder. The story of the day was in the 540cc class. At the previous hillclimb, Frazier set the best first-run time, but lost when Pinsonnault beat his time in round two and Frazier was unable to make a second pass due to engine trouble. Here, the story was reversed. Pinsonnault led after round one and no one came close until Frazier got his secortd ride in. His BSA took a couple hops early on the hill, but quickly returned to earth and finished the run in 7.003 seconds. This was nearly a second faster than Pinsonnault's first attempt. Pinsonnault gave it all he had on his second run, and put in an aggressive and clean ride that looked very good, finishing a mere 15 thousandths behind Frazier, with a 7.015 time. Rounding out the top five were Hislop, Scott Everett, and Ted Wilkins. Dresser, who was second overall in points going into this event, couldn't get under eight seconds, and finished ninth for the day. The 800cc class brought the hot day to a close as nearly all of the riders improved their times on the second-run. By now, the hill was thoroughly rutted, and most of the slick spots were gqne. Reiser rode his Harley over in 6.64 seconds; a blistering pace but not fast enough to lead. Greg Williams took his pure nitro-powered Honda to the lights in 6.13 seconds, bumping everyone down a peg. The round ended with Greg Williams in front, followed by The inaugural event featured a slippery surface that was quite challenging. Wade Williams, Reiser, Yoder and John Williams. l:N RESULTS: 800: 1. Greg Williams (Hon); 2. Wade Williams (Hon); 3. Tom Reiser (H-D); 4. Jeff Yoder (H-D); 5. John Williams (Hon); 6. Bobby Castledine (H-D); 7. Randy Gabriel (H-D); 8. Tom Chatterton (H-D); 9. Charlie Casey (Yam); 10. HaIry Schreiber (H-D); 11. Steve Krauter (H-D); 12. Gary Miller (H-D); 13. Rick Hunter (H-D); 14. Dave Overhulser (Kaw); 15. R. L. Smith (BSA). . 540: 1. Tim Frazier (BSA); 2. Paul Pinsonn'ault (Hon); 3. John Hislop (BSA); 4. Scott Everett (Tri); 5. Ted Wilkins (Rtx); 6. Ralph Kreeger (Tri); 7. Alan Hoskins (Hon); 8. Doug Klont (Tri); 9. Steve Dresser (Suz); 10. Don Pinsonnault (Hon); 11. Bill Apicella (Kaw); 12. Mike Pulver (Kaw); 13. Paul Garrety (Kaw); 14. Roger McNeely; 15. John Pinsonnault (Hon). AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HILLCLIMB SERIES POINTSTANDINCS: 800: I. Wade Williams (53) (1 win); 2. (TIE) Greg Williams (2 wins)fJeff Yoder (44); 4. Charlie Casey (42) (1 win); 5. Tom Reiser (40); 6. Randy Gabriel (38); 7. Bob Castledine (36); 8. Harry Schreiber (29); 9. Lou Gerencer, Sr. (25); 10. John Williams (23). 540: I. TIm Frazier (59) (3 wins); 2. Paui Pinsonnauit (52) (1 Win); 3. Steve Dresser (47); 4. Ted Wilkins (37); 5. John Hislow (34); 6. Ralph Kreeger (32); 7. Scott Everett . (29); 8. Aaron Brown (26); 9. Allan Hoskins (25); 10. (TIE) Mike PulverfErnie Fellin (24). 21

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