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AUGUST 23, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 60 BY CLAY LIGHT WASHOUGAL, WA, JULY 27-29 W ashougal Motocross Park in southwest Washington drew 1,981 riders representing 27 states and several Canadian provinces to the 26th annual Washougal Amateur Days. There were a multitude of impressive performers during the three consecutive days of racing. Washington's Nick Schmidt was one of those stellar performers, as the 15-year-old won the 125cc and 250cc B classes overall, both via 1-1 performances. Eighty-four riders waged battle in two divisions of the competitive 125cc B class. Division One was won by Schmidt. Kawasaki riders Wes Johnson and Chad Smith kept Schmidt honest in the two motos, though neither one of them could stop the Honda rider from steamrolling the competition. They placed second and third, ahead of Californians Wil McDonough and Cody Lee, who rounded out the top five. Oregon's Mitchell Rask scored a dual-moto win of his own in Division Two, leading Brendan Ritzman and Nic Wolfer to victory. Wolfer (4-2) fared better overall than Ritzman, trailing Ra s k b u t f i n i s h i n g a h e a d o f C o l e Jackson, Ritzman and Avery Rogers. Wolfer also won the 40-rider Four-Stroke B class, sweeping both motos. Kawasaki-mounted Californian Scott Simon came close to dual overall wins, as he won Friday's 250cc A class and the opening Four- Stroke A-class moto on Saturday. Simon, however, crashed at the start of moto two and had to charge all the way back from 20th to 14th at the finish, netting seventh overall in the class, which was won by Washington's Kenny Webster, who won moto two and used 2-1 finishes to lead Montana's Drew Woolsey (3-2) and Wyoming's Logan Hixon (4-4). Mike Alessi was surely the fastest rider to compete during the Amateur Days portion of the program. Alessi swept both 125cc A motos to easily score the overall win on Friday, the second of three days allotted for Amateur and A-class competition. His fellow KTM riders Anthony Charette and Pete Sannan each placed second to Alessi in one of the two motos, but it was Idaho's Sam De Atley who garnered second overall with consistent 3-3 placings. Schmidt also clobbered the competition in Division One of 250cc B class. Ritzman trailed Schmidt in both motos to finish second overall, ahead of Rogers, Kory Huffman and McDonough. Oregon's Guy Tow won both motos in Division Two, although he got some tough competition from Kawasaki rider Smith, who led much of moto two before yielding to Tow. Smith (3-2) placed second overall, followed by Rask (6-3), Lance Phillips (5-6) and Cory Breuer. Tow also won the Before The Hill B class, ahead of Erik Meusling. The Women's B class was 39 riders strong and fielded some exceptional talent. Minnesota's Kristen Oja piloted her KTM to a 1-1 sweep of the class, finishing slightly ahead of Yamaha rider Jackie Ives, who wasn't far off Oja's pace and trailed her in both motos. Californian Meika Cornelius, stayed close to both Oja and Ives and placed third overall with 3-3 finishes. CN WASHOUGAL AMATEUR DAYS WASHOUGAL, WASHINGTON RESULTS: JULY 27-29, 2006 51 (4-6): 1. Brenden Huffman (Cob); 2. Taber Waite (Pol); 3. Austin Black (Cob). 51 (4-8) OIL-INJ: 1. Randy Sutterfield (KTM); 2. Cole Hedges (KTM); 3. Colby Brouilette (KTM). 51 (7-8) STK: 1. Tanner Morris (Cob); 2. Kaden Beutler (KTM); 3. Alec Pitts (Cob). 65 (7-8): 1. Brayden Massey (KTM); 2. Cole Barbieri (KTM); 3. Tanner Morris (Kaw). 65 (9-11): 1. Coltin Scott (KTM); 2. Blake Gill (Kaw); 3. Nicholas Meyer (KTM). 85 BEG (7-11): 1. Shane Schueler (Yam); 2. Nathan Miles (Hon); 3. Forest Jackson (Yam). 85 BEG (12-15): 1. Jacob Jokela (Yam); 2. Gus Butters (KTM); 3. Ryan Huddleston (KTM). 85 (7-11): 1. Tyler Hansen (Yam); 2. Ryan Secondi (Yam); 3. James Dunn (Suz). 85 (12-15): 1. Matt De Atley (Suz); 2. Austin Ullrich (Hon); 3. C.J. Barham (Hon). S/MINI (9-11): 1. James Dunn (Suz); 2. Dinon Guzman (Yam); 3. Chris Corsi (Kaw). S/MINI (12-15): 1. Matt De Atley (Suz); 2. Austin Ullrich (Hon); 3. Jacob Stiver (Suz). 125 A: 1. Mike Alessi (KTM); 2. Sam De Atley (Suz); 3. Anthony Charette (KTM). 125 B D-1: 1. Nick Schmidt (Hon); 2. Wes Johnson (Kaw); 3. Chad Smith (Kaw). 125 B D-2: 1. Mitchell Rask (Hon); 2. Nic Wolfer (Hon); 3. Cole Jackson (Suz). 125 C D-1: 1. Kurt Hamann (Yam); 2. Blake Hall (Hon); 3. Justin Moreno (Kaw). 125 C D-2: 1. Dalton Ivey (Hon); 2. Brandon Barker (Yam); 3. T.J. Bettenhausen (Yam). 125 C D-3: 1. Ryan Skinner (Yam); 2. Steven Richotte (Yam); 3. Nick Mueller (Yam). 125 C D -4: 1. Troy Boggs (Yam); 2. Michael Robinson (Yam); 3. Jacob Zuanich (Hon). 125 D D-1: 1. Broc Sheile (Kaw); 2. Corey Wilcox (Yam); 3. Ryan Aiumu (Hon). 125 D D-2: 1. Ben Baker (Hon); 2. Tanner Symons (Yam); 3. Justin Mangum (Kaw). 125 D D -3: 1. Rene Columna (Hon); 2. Ryan Foster (Yam); 3. Stefan La Ve (Hon). 250 A: 1. Scott Simon (Kaw); 2. Sam De Atley (Suz); 3. Joel Barnowski (Suz). 250 B D-1: 1. Nick Schmidt (Hon); 2. Brendan Ritzman (Kaw); 3. Avery Rogers (Hon). 250 B D-2: 1. Guy Tow (Suz); 2. Chad Smith (Kaw); 3. Mitchell Rask (Hon). 250 C D-1: 1. Bradley Hillman (Yam); 2. Michael Winters (Yam); 3. Richard Ferzacca (Kaw). 250 C D-2: 1. Troy Boggs (Yam); 2. Jeremiah Sparks (Yam); 3. Zachary Dinsdale (Yam). 250 C D-3: 1. Clark Nielsen (Yam); 2. Lance Richotte (Yam); 3. Shaun Rossiter (Yam). 250 D D-1: 1. Stefan La Ve (Hon); 2. Chad Van Weiringen (Hon); 3. Charlie Kemp (Hon). 250 D D-2: 1. Steve Baird (Suz); 2. Chris Nelson (Yam); 3. Bill Winterfield (Hon). WMN MINI: 1. Kasie Creson (KTM); 2. Lauren Volentir (Kaw); 3. Lexi Mitchell (Yam). WMN B: 1. Kristen Oja (KTM); 2. Jackie Ives (Yam); 3. Meika Cornelius (Hon). WMN C: 1. Hailey Larson (Suz); 2. Samantha Petrich (Yam); 3. Brittany Myers (Hon). BTH B: 1. Guy Tow (Suz); 2. Erik Meusling (Hon); 3. Kyle Evans (Hon). BTH C D-1: 1. Nick Mueller (Yam); 2. Michael Robinson (Yam); 3. Zackary Dinsdale (Yam). BTH C D-2: 1. Colton Ware (Hon); 2. Dalton Ivey (Hon); 3. Jeff Ball (Yam). BTH C D-3: 1. Kevin Lavoie (Yam); 2. T.J. Bettenhausen (Yam); 3. Cotey Cox (Hon). BTH C D-4: 1. Brandon Gjernes (Suz); 2. Ricky Miranda (Hon); 3. Matt Houseman (Yam). 25+ A/B: 1. Kipp Posey (Kaw); 2. Monty Ware (Hon); 3. Robert Burtis (Hon). 25+ C D-1: 1. Dallas Smith (Hon); 2. Dan Mastrude (Yam); 3. Brent Jordan (KTM). 25+ C D-2: 1. Jeffrey Blodgett (Hon); 2. Sean English (Hon); 3. Paul Thacker (Suz). 30+ B: 1. Scott Fritts (Hon); 2. Larry McKee (Hon); 3. Don Perrie (Hon). 30+ C D-1: 1. Glen McKee (Hon); 2. Tate Pazaski (Hon); 3. Daniel Hansen (Hon). 30+ C D-2: 1. Cedric Andrews (Yam); 2. Brent Jordan (KTM); 3. Chad Cook (Hon). 30+ C D-3: 1. Jeff Larson (Yam); 2. Brandon Travis (Kaw); 3. Jeff Botefugr (Hon). 40+ A: 1. Ted Holt (Hon); 2. Martin Klossner (Yam); 3. Dominic Franza (Kaw). 40+ B: 1. Andy James (Yam); 2. Darren Criss (Suz); 3. Bruce Thinger (Hon). 40+ C D-1: 1. Brian Granberg (Hon); 2. Marcel Dailinga (Hon); 3. Ken Brandt (Yam). 40+ C D-2: 1. Lyle Henry (Suz); 2. Dan Krick (Hon); 3. John Bean (Yam). 4-STRK A: 1. Kenny Webster (Kaw); 2. Drew Woolsey (Suz); 3. Logan Hixon (Yam). 4-STRK B: 1. Nic Wolfer (Hon); 2. Joey Ruminer (Kaw); 3. Cody Lee (Suz). 4-STRK C (D-1): 1. T.J. Guzman (Yam); 2. Kevin Storm (Kaw); 3. Bryce Foley (KTM). 4-STRK C (D -2): 1. Jeremiah Sparks (Yam); 2. Robby McCabe (Kaw); 3. Kyle Yarnell (Hon). INDUSTRY: 1. Kenny Webster (Kaw); 2. Nic Wolfer (Hon); 3. Tyler Smith (Hon). CROSSOVER SKI TEAM: 1. Victor Sheldon (Kaw); 2. Ian Price (Yam); 3. Michael Rosengren (Hon). Washougal Amateur Days Washougal Motocross Park Schmidt Strikes Again! Nick Schmidt was a two-class winner at the 26th annual Washougal Amateur Days. PHOTO BY CLAY LIGHT BY RON DILLON NEW PLYMOUTH, ID, JULY 15-16 T he only NAHA professional motorcycle hillclimb in the Northwest, the fourth annual Big Nasty again lived up to its name, as only a total of six riders climbed the 460-foot hill over the entire weekend, and only six tro- phy riders scaled the smaller 250-foot trophy hill that was also used for the Pro main event qualifying. The event pulled 372 entries from nine states and Canada, who climbed two dif- ferent hills over the weekend. Despite temper- atures over the century mark, more than 10,000 spectators came out for the big show. This year's Big Nasty was one of only six 2006 North American Hillclimb Association points events, and virtually all of the top Pro hillclimbers in the western United States were in attendance, competing for almost $22,000 in cash. On Saturday, none of the Pros over 40 or 250cc-motored Semi-Pros were able to top the big hill. Alberta, Canada's legendary Kenny "Mad Dog" Long gets closer and closer to the top each year, and he set another personal best this year, finally digging a hole at 395 feet to win the Over 40 701cc Open Pro class with his shrieking, wailing, 800cc Rotax two-stroke twin-powered open bike. He came right back and took his 700cc Rotax up to 391 feet to also win the Over 40 700cc Pro class. Meanwhile, the trophy riders attacked the smaller hill, which also proved to be deceptively tough. Only six trophy riders fought their way to the top all day. Of the true stock motorcycles, only three were able to get over the top - a rare and impressive feat. Idaho's Taylor Friesz blasted over the hill in 8.06 seconds to smoke the 31-rider, 251-650cc Four-Stroke Trophy class, and Royce Toraft and Kelly Peterson both made the summit to take first and second, respectively, in the equally competitive 251-650cc Two-Stroke Trophy class. Sunday's show consisted of two classes, the 251-700cc main and the 701cc-Open main. The first 251-700cc main-event rider of the day, Jason Smith, blew right over top in 14.4 seconds. However, Smith was the only rider to t o p t h e h i l l i n t h e f i r s t r o u n d , a s o t h e r s struggled with the cliff face at the 330-foot m a r k . I n r o u n d t w o , U t a h l e g e n d Tr a v i s Whitlock flew his 550cc KTM over in 14.096 seconds to win the class. The final class was the Open Exhibition class, featuring machines with unlimited motors and up to 220 hp. However, the hill was getting drier and more torn up, and only two riders were able to get their bikes over the top: Californian Brett Peterson (in 11.187 seconds) and Whitlock (in 15.036 seconds). The weekend ended with the King Of The Hill Shootout, giving the top five Open bikes one more shot at the hill. It was Brett Peterson's day: He pinned his big Harley and blasted up to 383 feet before stalling, putting $600 in his pocket and his name on the Big Nasty King Of The Hill perpetual trophy. CN THE BIG NASTY HILLCLIMB NEW PLYMOUTH, IDAHO RESULTS: JULY 15-16 (ROUND 3) KOTH: 1. Brett Peterson (H-D). 701-OPEN: 1. Brett Peterson (H-D); 2. Travis Whitlock (Yam); 3. Dusty Beer (Kaw); 4. Ryan Dicks (Yam); 5. Jason Smith (Yam). 251-700: 1. Travis Whitlock (KTM); 2. Jason Smith (Yam); 3. Brett Peterson (KTM); 4. Ryan Dicks (Yam); 5. Robbie Peterson (Hon). PRO/SEMI-PRO O/T (40+) 701-OPEN: 1. Kenny Long (Rot); 2. Don Beer (Hus); 3. Dave Ghizzone (Suz); 4. Jeff Higgins (Hon); 5. Lefty Frueh (Kaw). PRO/SEMI-PRO O/T (40+) 0-700: 1. Kenny Long (Rot); 2. Wade Hudsmith (Hon); 3. Lonnie Sparks (Kaw); 4. Dave Ghizzone (Hon); 5. Kelly Smith (Hon). PRO/SEMI-PRO SR (50+): 1. Lefty Freuh (Hon); 2. Gary Gump (ATK); 3. Jerry Williams (Yam); 4. Tom States (KTM). PRO/SEMI-PRO 91-250 EXHIB: 1. Colby Peck (Kaw); 2. Jason Ambroz (Yam); 3. Travis Ghizzone (Hon). PRO/SEMI-PRO 0-90 EXHIB: 1. Brayden Beer (Yam); 2. Colby Peck (Kaw). VINT: 1. Tom Street (Yam); 2. Jeff Carson (Hon); 3. Jerry Williams (Yam); 4. Bill Howard (Hon). WMN: 1. Ashley Johnson (Hon); 2. Danielle Cuellar (Hon). TROPHY SR (50+): 1. Gary Gump (ATK); 2. Jerry Williams (Yam); 3. Tom Street (ATK); 4. Tom States (KTM); 5. Robert Osborne (Yam). ALTRD STK TROPHY 251+: 1. Bret Peterson (Hon); 2. Robbie Peterson (Hon); 3. Terrance Ferguson (Hon); 4. Kevin Petersen (Hon); 5. Todd Christiansen (Hon). ALTRD STK TROPHY 0-250: 1. Kevin Favinger (Hon). STK TROPHY 251+ 4-STRK (40+): 1. Tom Street (Yam); 2. Loyal Gibbons (Hus); 3. Jeff Carson (Hon); 4. Tony Burdick (Yam); 5. Shawn Harrington (Hus). STK TROPHY 251+ 2-STRK (40+): 1. Kelly Petersen (Hon); 2. Bryan Walters (Hon); 3. Ted Brown (Kaw). STK TROPHY 0-250 (40+): 1. Kelly Petersen (Hon); 2. Jeff Kovaleski (Yam). STK TROPHY 251-650 4-STRK: 1. Taylor Friesz (Yam); 2. Charlie Kouba (Hon); 3. Terrence Ferguson (Hon); 4. Thomas McLay (Hon); 5. Paul Johnson (KTM). STK TROPHY 251-650 2-STRK: 1. Royce Toraft (Hon); 2. Kelly Petersen (Hon); 3. Chris Burandt (KTM); 4. Jimmy Cramer (Hon); 5. Taylor Jones (Hon). STK TROPHY 126-250 ADV: 1. Shane Donaca (Suz); 2. Chris Burandt (Hus); 3. Derick Gabbitas (Yam); 4. Cliff Burge (Kaw); 5. Kelly Petersen (Hon). STK TROPHY 126-250 BEG: 1. Jordan Torgeson (Yam); 2. Rory Schinsing (Hus); 3. Calvin Petersen (Hon); 4. Terence Ferguson (Hon); 5. Brad Jay (Yam). STK TROPHY 91-125: 1. Rory Schinsing (Hus); 2. Calvin Petersen (Kaw); 3. Joey Willard (Yam); 4. Aaron Dubie (Kaw); 5. Cody Willard (Yam). STK TROPHY 71-90: 1. Austin Kouba (Suz); 2. Brandon Durhan (Yam); 3. Brandon Johnson (Suz); 4. Jenna Friesz (Kaw); 5. Spencer Roundtree (Yam). STK TROPHY 56-70: 1. Logan Mofitt (Kaw); 2. Dylan Kuhlman (KTM); 3. Tatum Nelson (Kaw); 4. Dahlin Ewing (Suz); 5. Bailey Kouba (Suz). STK TROPHY 0-55 SHIFTER: 1. Carter Beer (Suz); 2. Spencer Lambert (Suz); 3. Alexa Whitlock (Yam); 4. A.J. Wagemann (Hon). STK TROPHY 0-55 AUTO : 1. Dyland Kunlam (KTM); 2. Cameron Ambroz (KTM); 3. David Cornett (Suz); 4. Dylan Hendry (KTM); 5. Devan Gomez (KTM). North American Hillclimb Association Round 3: The Big Nasty Hillclimb Big Nasty Hillclimb Proves Nasty (Again) Terence Ferguson stuffs his front end into a ledge en route to finishing fourth in the Stock Trophy 126-250cc Beginner class at the fourth annual Big Nasty Hillclimb. PHOTO BY ELISA EGLI/DC PHOTOGRAPHY