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AMA Pro Racing press release

Walter "Tiger" Strank, of Johnstown, Pa., earned the AMA Hillclimb Championship presented by Pace American in both the 800cc and 540cc classes for 2005 riding a pair of Bob Shreiner-built Yamahas. This year’s titles mark the third and fourth AMA Hillclimb Championships for Strank, who won the 800cc class in 2001 and the 540cc class last year.

Strank took five national wins in the 800cc class this season riding a Yamaha R1-based hillclimber. Strank and Honda mounted David Watson battled for the championship all year, but Strank pulled away in the title chase with victories at the final two rounds of the year.

Strank pointed to the first Freemansburg, Pa., 800cc national as one that stands out this past season. “I got beat in the first round and came back to win the national with my run in the second round,” Strank said.

Strank won this year’s 800 class by 21 points over three-time class champ David Watson. Chad Disbennett, the 2004 class champ, finished third in the series.

The 540cc class was Strank’s private playground this year. He won all but two rounds that he entered to defend his 540cc title. Strank’s 540cc class rig was based around a Yamaha R6 motor.

“Both bikes were phenomenal all year,” Strank said. “I give a lot of credit to Bob (Shreiner) for building a pair of great hillclimb bikes.”

Strank also stepped up his training regimen, which includes a lot of motocross riding, and he felt that gave him the consistency to win both championships this year. “I was a lot more aggressive this year because of my training,” he said. “At the same time I was able to be a smoother rider than I was in the past.”

Triumph rider Phil Libhart, of Elizabethtown, Pa., finished second in the 540cc class followed by David Watson.

Strank joins Watson as only the second rider to win both championships in a single season. He plans on returning to the series to defend both titles in 2006.



 

Copyright AMA Pro Racing, 2005.