AMA Pro Hill Climb

AMA Pro Hill Climb. . . .

It is with great disappointment that we announce the AMA Pro Hill Climb will NOT take place during Ogemaw Hills Bike Week for the 2017 rally. This is due to scheduling conflicts between OHBW and the AMA Pro Hill Climb circuit, and the usual location of Bunting Sand and Gravel being used as a home base for the current I-75 road construction taking place throughout the summer. It is our goal to host the AMA Pro Hill Climb once again during future rallies.

WHEN:
RACE START TIME:
WHERE:
(Click Here For Driving Directions)

ADMISSION: $12 in advance; $15 at the gate; Kids 12 & under FREE with paid adult
VFW will be there again this year with their Hot Dog stand with water & soda.

About the Hill Climb

AMA Pro Hillclimb is a competition of man and machine versus the hill. Each rider gets 2 runs on a steep hill, often with jumps, breakers, and or turns, that is scored by time or distance. The hills have varying degrees of slope from about 45 degrees to almost vertical. The better of the 2 runs is to be used as the final score and ranked by the fastest time or furthest distance. The Series is comprised three distinct Classes – Pro Sport Class, Xtreme Class, and Unlimited Class. The Xtreme Class and Unlimited Class feature sport bike motors and or Harley Davidson, BSA or Triumph motors powered by alcohol/methanol, nitrous oxide, or nitro methane.

AMA Pro Hillclimb is operated by the Professional Hillclimbers Association under the advisement and sanction of AMA Pro Racing.

The AMA Pro Hillclimb Series is one of the oldest forms of motorcycle racing sharing the beginning of motorcycle racing with flat track racing. The first recorded rules for hill climbing were issued by the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M&ATA) in 1919. The AMA began providing the rules for Hill climbing in 1925. Since the 1930’s, Professional Hill climbing has had Championship status with the AMA. It is often referred to as the original extreme sport. The true growth of hill climbing, both in professional and amateur status, occurred in 1947 after WWII. The main reason for this is the return of the Harley Davidson, Indian, and BSA motorcycles that to the US and they weren’t sure what to do with them. Of course, the logical thing was to take them to the hills!

The first recorded champions were Herb Fletcher, Roy Burke and Clem Murdaugh in 1947, all on Indian motorcycles in the 45ci-B, 74ci-A, and 74ci-Expert classes, respectively.

Until 1972, the Champion was determined by the result of a single event, the All Star Challenge, held at either Muskegon, Michigan or White Rose Motorcycle Club in Jefferson, Pennsylvania. Starting in 1973, the trend changed to determine the Champion by a series of accumulated points at multiple events.

The series has seen major changes but remains strong. In 2008, the Series introduced a Pro Am Class known as the Pro Sport Class. This class was created to draw more competitors into the Series to introduce them into the Pro ranks and give them the opportunity to move into the Xtreme and/or Unlimited Classes. It also gives factory representation, as 450 cc motocross bikes are modified only in length and rear tire.

At the end of the 2015 season, the rider who accumulates the most points out of the 9 rounds, with the lowest finish being dropped, will be crowned as the 2015 AMA Pro Hill climb Champion and carry the #1 plate in the Xtreme and Unlimited Classes. A rider will also be crowned champion in the Pro Sport class, with the rider accumulating the most points in the 8 rounds in which they will compete.