April 19, 2007
Strank Launches AMA
Hillcimb Title Defense
With Many Unknowns
AMA Racing press release
Walter "Tiger" Strank, of Johnstown, Pa., swept the 2006 AMA
Hillclimb Championship in both the 800 and 540 classes for the
second straight time. In 2007 Strank will return, riding a pair
of Bob Shreiner-built Yamahas, in the newly restructured series
which now features three classes - Xtreme Hillclimb, Unlimited
Hillclimb and new to the championship, Pro Sport Hillclimb.
The series will feature ten rounds, plus the annual mid-season
All Star Challenge. The championship kicks off on April 29 in
Haydenville, Ohio and will visit hills in Pennsylvania, New York
and Michigan, culminating with the popular traditional
season-ending series round in Oregonia, Ohio on Oct. 14.
The Xtreme Hillclimb class will take the place of the old 540cc
class and the 800cc class now becomes the Unlimited class. Pro
Sport Hillclimb will feature 400cc-450cc four stroke,
single-cylinder engines. The Pro Sport class is intended to
allow amateur climbers a smoother transition into the
professional ranks.
Ken Saillant, AMA Racing Flat Track Director said, “We’re very
excited about the ’07 AMA Hillclimb season, especially with the
addition of the 450 Pro Sport class. This class offers a great
opportunity for new riders who have not participated in
Hillclimb to come onboard.”
For Strank the changes in the class structure will not alter his
approach, but he admits that there are going to be unknowns that
all competitors will have to overcome.
“We’re not sure with a third class added how that’s going to
affect the condition of the hills,” Strank said. “Hopefully
they’ll schedule the Unlimited and Xtreme classes before the Pro
Sport, but that’s something we’ll have to deal with. Plus with
the new classes this year, they’re allowing some different types
of motors into each class. So it could be interesting to see
what kinds of bikes are developed. I already know of one team
working on a nitrous KTM, so it could get pretty wild out there
with bikes that we’ve never seen before.”
Strank was injured in a training accident in January. The
six-time national champion separated his shoulder, but said he
was fortunate to be able to avoid surgery.
“I’ll probably be a little gun-shy in that first race until I
see how I feel,” Strank explained. “I just haven’t had the
chance to ride like I normally do leading up to the season, but
I should be OK.”
Strank went on to say he sees Ryan Thibault and Phil Libhart as
his primary competition this season.
“Ryan was really tough in the amateurs and he’s young and has no
fear. And Phil is a veteran and his Triumphs run as good as they
look.”
The AMA Hillclimb Championship will be featured in 2007 on the
new MavTV network. From high flying arenacross to the roaring
thunder of drag racing, MavTV is your home for all the high
octane motorsports you crave. Partnered with the top producers
of motorsports action, MavTV provides a robust offering of all
things fast and furious. Go to www.MavTv.com for more details.
2007 AMA Hillclimb Championship Schedule
Apr 29: Haydenville, OH: Professional Hillclimb Promotions;
(574) 272-8329
Jun 3: Jefferson (York Co), PA: White Rose MC; (717) 938-2556
Jun 10: Steel City, PA: Bushkill Valley MC; (610) 258-3208
Jun 17: Avoca, NY: Avoca-Howard Hillclimb; (607) 382-8613
Jul 22: Grant (Bridgeton Township), MI: Muskegon MC; (231)
828-6360
Jul 29: Jefferson (York Co), PA: ALL STAR CHALLENGE: White Rose
MC; (717) 938-2556
Aug 19: Dansville, NY: Poags Hole Productions; (585) 335-2341
Sept 9: Steel City, PA: Bushkill Valley MC; (610) 258-3208
Sept 23: Haydenville, OH: Professional Hillclimb Promotions;
(574) 272-8329
Sept 30: Jefferson (York Co), PA: White Rose MC; (717) 938-2556
Oct 14: Oregonia, OH: Dayton MC; (937) 429-4359
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