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S even-time National Champion Dave Watson and multiple-time Championship runner-up Phil Libhart saved their best for last as they each took the wins at the All Star Challenge National Hillclimb, hosted by the Muskegon Motorcycle Club. Round four of the AMA Hillclimb National Champi- onship Series, sponsored by Pace American had it all: rain, sunshine, big crashes and surprising performances by new faces. In the end, Watson topped Mount Garfield, taking the 800-class win, followed by Scott McNeely and Walter "Tiger" Strank. Phil Libhart took the win in the 540 class with Rodney "Hot Rod" Williams and Strank fill- ing out the podium. McNeely was the first rider on the hill on the Reggie Bunner-backed CBR Honda. The former number-three- plate holder wasted little time getting down to business on his first race on the bike, flying past the timers on the last jump at 240 feet with a time of 5.097. As the rains began to fall, Dave Watson and Tiger Strank took to the hill, putting in runs of 5.144 and 5.416. Phil Libhart was back in 5th after a crowd-pleasing ride; the front came up after landing the first breaker and he rode a wheelie all the way to the top of the steep 350- foot hill. In the second round, Libhart was the only rider in the top five to improve as the hill got rougher. He moved to third with a run of 5.209. McNeely lost a chain on his sec- ond pass, but still held the lead. "I think I can win the hillclimb," Libhart said. "The key is this bottom jump. If it keeps raining and gets any rougher, it will be tough for me to go any faster." In the unique format of the All Star, the 10-fastest rid- ers get an additional ride, and that's when Phil Libhart on the Kreeger & Sons/Worley and Obetz/Amsoil Triumph twin shook everything up. "I saw a hump near the base of the breaker," Libhart said, "and I hit it to try to preload over the breaker so I wouldn't get any air. When I hit it, I knew I had a good run, but I didn't know I had run that fast until my brother told me the time." Libhart's 4.930 would earn him the lead. McNeely was the final rider and he nearly retook the win, but came up just short with his 5.087. All Star Challenge National Hillclimb Norton Shore, MI Round 4 August 6, 2006 AUGUST 23, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 52 AMA Hillclimb National Championship Series sponsored by Pace American Watson and Libhart Come From Behind at All Star Challenge National Hillclimb STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID L. PATTON, JR. Dave Watson stepped it up on his final shot to take the 800 win (his second in a row) and add to his points lead. Phil Libhart came back from a big crash in the 800 class to win the 540 class.