Racer X / Suzuki NAHA Pro Hillclimb, Glen Helen Speedway
Thanks to Glen Helen for Hosting the Hillclimb.
(Click on Photo for WCP Interview) Travis Whitlock made it look easy as he made his way up in all three classes. Now on his 27th year of competing, he’s won all there is in hillclimbing.
Right off the gate the challenge was momentum as the riders met a steep set of doubles.
Coming soon WCP interview with Casselli. Kurt Casselli & mechanic Charles Jirsa working their way up to the run. Casselli was impressive & proved he's a man of many skills!
Turn 1 included a sharp right before the climb up. To get to the top the riders had to make their way through 8 gates & the higher you got the gnarlier the climb!
One man pushing for hillclimbing to hit the mainstream is
Ken Faught, the co-founder of Pole Positions Indoor Karting Raceway (pictured far right).
Faught is a hillclimb enthusiast who knows
the history & is confident about the appeal of hillclimb, once people get to
see it.He & longtime friend, Terry
Peterson of Peterson Racing (pictured front center), are teaming up to bring more hillclimb events to the fans!
Hillclimbing is all about family. Both fans & climbers alike were at the climb with their families. The Whitlocks were there with lots of family on & off the dirt.
Check out the Crash.
There were many on the way up the hill
& this one was one of the worst!
In hillclimbing you've got knobbies & paddles. Then there's your choice of metal or not. The bottom line is you want to keep your wheel to the ground.
Peterson was one of the riders that got to see the fans at the top.
Gate 6 was a popular spot where man met dirt.
Peterson nearing the top before having his front end get sucked in.
In the end the goal was more important than the competition. Everyone supported one another as they made their way to the flag. It was a blast watching them work their bikes & their skills! Congratulations to everyone who dared to show up on the line! Whether you reached midway or made it to the top it took a lot of guts to get there!
In the Pits
Lindsay Boggan (sister of racer Kevin Boggan) says, "If I had a bike I'd be right in there." Meanwhile she drove up from San Diego & Mom & Dad flew in from Missouri to watch her brother climb.
The crew of KCAL was there to promote the return of hillclimbing. Says David Giddings (2nd from left) AKA "Animal", "It's wonderful that they're bringing it here & we want to support them."
Click Here for WCP Interview of Champion Travis Whitlock
Travis Whitlock is big on hillclimbing & on family. Both his daughters Alexa & Brooklyn ride & he & wife Lexie
just had a son who will also continue on the Whitlock riding tradition.
Travis says climbing is a fun family sport. He can travel with Lexie, the children & even dog Daisy. Travis enjoys competing in different states & the lifelong friendships that are made.
Whitlock describes the riders in hillclimbing as "family".In the
sport he says there aren’t rivalries, “It’s just you against the hill.”
Pole Position's Jayden Schemmer & Jason Dragoman. Jason was 1/2 of the "Voice of the Hillclimb" as he shared the announcing.
Thanks to the People of Glen Helen Speedway. Some we caught here - Bob Lambourne, Pam Yarnell, Jason Erro, Dave Bryant & Ted Bryant. Whether you're in the dirt or in the booth, we appreciate all you do!
This guy got cheers for his own version of hillclimb. He made it up on foot after a bit of a struggle.
WCP Founder Todd Henry showin' the hazards of action sports coverage!
Lance was ready to ride, but had to sit out this one but he says he'll be back soon.
About hillclimbing John Howell says, "It's all I know what to do." He's been doin' it all his life. Howell & Mike go wherever they can to climb. His "souvenir" raspberry came from his endo. He also just recovered from broken ribs! (John's wife is on the cutting edge of nutritional research, so we're sure he'll be as good as new real soon.)
Osborn Racing is a tight-knit group. Higgins was on the course riding, snapping shots & lending his support. Brian Osborn was focused & pulled off a time of 14.300! Thanks for the refreshing raisins.
