Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1546195
C Y C L E N E W S • AUGUST 23, 2006 53 "I had a good day on an unfamiliar bike," McNeely said. "Dave and Dan Watson helped me a lot and I'll set- tle for second this time." Strank, the defending 540 Champion, moved into third after a 5.104-second run on the Dr. Bob Racing Yamaha R6. Dave Watson and Jeff Thomas rounded out the top 5. Points-leader Dave Watson led off the the 800 class on the Thomas Racing Service/Utopia Optics backed CBR Honda, setting things off with a 4.925. The next rider up, Rodney "Hot Rod" Williams, has had an inter- esting first half of the season. But with engine-guru Jeff Yoder on hand, the Carl Williams/Frazier Motorsports- backed Harley-Davidson XR 750 was back to full strength. Hot Rod started on the far right side and pinned it, swapping and wheelying his way to the top with a 4.684, the fastest run of the round. "I just grabbed a handful of throttle and tried to hold on to it," Williams said. "I can go faster if I can keep the front end down between the second and third jump." The hill was very rough for round two but Watson dropped his time to 4.864. Hot Rod continued to ride well and his 4.789 was the fastest run of the second round. The final round in 800 class unfolded the same as the 540 action. Tiger Strank put in a great run to take third, with a time of 4.843. "It has been a good day," Strank said. "I just couldn't get it all together to win, but I am glad to see Rodney riding well." Hot Rod took another run from the right side - as he had been doing - but this time it didn't pay off. His shot at his first-career win was finished early, as he got out of shape over the breaker and had to back out of it. "I just chose the wrong place to run that time. We had a good day, but I really wanted to get that first win. Jeff Yoder and Steve Wright helped me a lot today." Just as in 2004, Watson came from behind to win the 800 class. Dan Watson had said that his son, Dave, could go even faster, and was on the money as Dave ham- mered the Troy Lee Designs Honda off the line and over the breaker. He stopped the clocks in 4.590 seconds, taking the 800-class victory. "My dad worked on the fuel injection and it helped," Watson said. "It is great to come out of here with a win as we start the second half of the season." Ryan Thibault and Jeff Thomas rounded out the top five. CN ALL STAR CHALLENGE NATIONAL HILLCLIMB NORTON SHORE, MICHIGAN RESULTS: AUGUST 6, 2006 (ROUND 4 OF 7) 540: 1. Phil Libhart (Tri); 2. Scott McNeely (Hon); 3. Walter Strank (Yam); 4. Dave Watson (Hon); 5. Jeff Thomas (Yam). 800: 1. Dave Watson (Hon); 2. Rodney Williams (H-D); 3. Walter Strank (Yam); 4. Ryan Thibault (Hon); 5. Jeff Thomas (Yam). Rodney Williams led the 800 class most of day, only to miss out on his first-career win at the end by a fraction of a second.