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/737253
IN THE WIND P32 SALLSTROM, KOESTER—HILLLCLIMB CHAMPS J ay Sallstrom clinched the 2016 AMA Pro Hillclimb Championship in Unlimited and Expert Singles classes, while John Koester took the title in the Xtreme class at Dayton Motor- cycle Club's Devil's Staircase hill in Oregonia, Ohio, October 9. Jockamo Baldina, Koester and Logan Cipala took the round-10 wins in the Unlimited, Xtreme, and Expert Singles classes, respectively. Sallstrom won the exhibition Hill Cross competition. Expert Singles rode first with Brent Nelson setting the pace at 8.515 seconds. Cipala and Sall- strom dropped into the sevens with Sallstrom two-tenths ahead at 7.651 seconds. Koester moved into third late in the order, posting an 8.236-second E.T. In the second half, Cipala inched ahead of Sallstrom by five-hundredths of a second for the Expert Singles lead. Sall- strom rode fast but settled for second. Koester's podium spot was threatened by Baldina who crossed the line in 8.198 sec- onds. Koester answered with a 7.863-second E.T. to retake third. Although in second behind Cipala in Round 10, Sallstrom extended his Expert Singles points lead to twelve, easily securing the 2016 title. Koester rode first in the Xtreme class. Trailing points leader Sallstrom by just five points, Koester knew he at least needed a win to take the title. He posted a very fast 7.216-second time in his first attempt. Then Baldina dropped into the sixes with a 6.699-second E.T. to take over the lead. Sallstrom crested in 7.467 seconds, in third behind Koester at the half. In Xtreme-class run number two, Koester pulled out all the stops, besting Baldina with a time of 6.528 seconds, which put him back in the lead. Phil Libhart topped the hill in 6.922 seconds, nudging Sallstrom off the podium. Baldina posted a faster time of 6.673 seconds— good for second but still behind Koester. Sallstrom shaved two-tenths off his own time but remained in fourth. Koester's win and Sallstrom's fourth meant Koester took the 2016 Xtreme title by just one point. Baldina stopped the clock in the Unlimited class at 7.164 seconds. He was bested by Sallstrom's 6.990 E.T. But then Koester posted a 6.888-sec- ond time for the lead. Libhart's 7.160-second ride moved him into third at the half by just .004 of a second. After intermission Baldina upped the Unlimited class ante with a 6.793-second ride for the lead, moving Koester to second and Sallstrom to third. Cipala rode last and took over fourth with a 7.078-second ride, push- ing Libhart to fifth. Sallstrom held a commanding points lead after round nine and a third- place in the final was more than enough to secure the title. Jeff Whitehead Unlimited 1. Jockamo Baldina (Hon) 2. John Koester (Hon) 3. Jay Sallstrom (Yam) Xtreme 1. John Koester (Hon) 2. Jockamo Baldina (Hon) 3. Phil Libhart (Tri) Expert Singles 1. Logan Cipala (KTM) 2. Jay Sallstrom (Yam) 3. John Koester (Suz) Exhibition Hill Cross 1. Jay Sallstrom (Yam) 2. John Koester (Suz) 3. Logan Cipala (KTM) John Koester (left) and Jay Sallstrom wrapped up 2016 AMA Hillclimb Championships in Ohio. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF WHITEHEAD