History sets stage for Saturday’s hillclimb
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By Skip Schulz
For the Mining Gazette
Whealkate Bluff in South Range has a rich history of motorcycle hillclimbs. It was in the 1970s that this steep bluff put the community of South Range on the map by hosting a motorcycle hillclimb. Whealkate Bluff will once again come alive this Saturday with the MASTERS - Wildlife Refuge Cabins - Pat's Motorsports Motorcycle Hillclimb.
This popular hillclimb is a presentation of M & M Power Sports, Keweenaw Motorsports and Moyle Construction.
The hill was originally owned by South Range Business Association. Years later, the property went through a series of ownership changes. Most of the owners did not want any event on this hill. One landowner did allow the future owners of Mid America Snow & Terrain Expert Racers (MASTERS) and the Range Snowmobile Club to host a snowmobile hillclimb in 1991. After two years of running that event, the Range Club pulled out of co-sponsoring it.
It wasn't until many years later that the new landowner, Triest Forest Products, allowed the MASTERS to resume running snowmobile hillclimbs. Then 5 years ago, the MASTERS decided to bring the motorcycle hillclimb back.
"Our intent is to take advantage of a natural resource that South Range has, that few have anywhere in the Midwest. That is a steep hill," explained Sandy Schulz of the MASTERS. "The hillclimbs, motorcycle and snowmobile, bring racers and fans from all over. They stay in the area and spend money."
This year's motorcycle hillclimb will expand its Women's Class and feature the Stampede Sport and Feed Jesse Perry Memorial 450cc Class. Perry was one of the top motorcycle hillclimbers. After last September's hillclimb, Perry lost his life in a non-motorcycle related incident.
"The Jesse Perry Memorial winner will receive an additional cash purse, along with a plaque honoring Jesse. Jesse was a close friend of all the racers, and his death really hit many of us hard. We're hoping we can get a good turnout in this class," commented Larry Madgewick of the MASTERS.
The long-running MASTERS Racing Circuit is going to focus on building the Women's Class. Last year's Diamond House International Queen of the Hill was Hanna Havela of Ishpeming. Havela will be back along with Kristy Junak and a member of the LF Enterprises team.
"We will be entering a gal in the Women's Class, her name is Jamie," stated Leif Forcia. The Forcias have been competing in MASTERS races since the circuit began in 1995. This includes one of the best hillclimbers in the Midwest, Chaz Forcia.
"This is going to be fun having Jamie run," Leif Forcia said.
The Queen of the Hill will receive a custom embroidered jacket from Diamond House International and a special gift basket from 906 & Company.
For four of the five motorcycle hillclimbs that the MASTERS has run, Mike Kirtland of the Pat's Motorsports team has won the King of the Hill. No one in either snowmobile or motorcycle hillclimbs has dominated as much as Kirtland. He will be competing for an unprecedented fifth King of the Hill.
He will have stiff competition from the Havela Finnish's team out of Ishpeming, though. Shane Bandola of Iron River (MI), a past Stock King of the Hill, will be back, along with the Joliff Brothers team from Mass City.
"At every hillclimb, we have had someone we never expected to challenge our top driver, Mike (Kirtland). Mark my words, Mike is going to have his hands full," explained Joe Provost of the MASTERS.
Kirtland is one of only five racers to have made it over the top and successfully through the Timing Chute over the past four years. The vast majority of the Willies Tire Center and Serv Pro of Ishpeming class winners are decided by setting the highest mark on the hill. It is the challenge of Whealkate that creates the fan excitement for the Havela Finnish's/Eagle Radio Crash of the Day.
The fans will also be treated to excitement in the Premium Spray Foam and Coatings Junior Class.
An additional challenge to the steep Whealkate Bluff is the soft sand on the hill, plus the racers do not get any run at the start or bottom of the hill. It was Mike Fraki along with Wyatt McIntyre of Bobcat of Greenland that used heavy equipment to improve both the bottom of the hill and the top. It's at the top that the "wall" is located.
"Every year, we have racers that get all the way to the wall, then fail to make it all the way over," commented Madgewick. "It's at the wall that the Crash of the Day usually takes place."
Fans will be able to tune their vehicle radio to hear the public address announcer. The grounds have excellent parking, where the fans can watch right from their vehicles. Dogfathers Concessions is on the grounds. The gates for the fans open at 9 a.m. Competition will start between 10:30 and 11 a.m.
Racer Registration takes place at the hill from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday, and final registration will be between 8 and 9 a.m. Saturday.
Fan admission is $10 with parking $10.
Once again this year, Keweenaw Chevrolet, Daily Mining Gazette, Archambeau Photography and Timberline Sports of Bergland are helping with the event.
"The MASTERS wants to thank Vollwerth's Meats for being the primary sponsor of all our hillclimbs for years. We hope to have them back for our snowmobile hillclimbs this winter," concluded Sandy Schulz.
The MASTERS told the Gazette that they will have a special announcement at the Hillclimb, but did not clarify what that announcement will be.