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 All Star Challenge is still
an important part of the AMA Pro Hill climb Series
and still alternates between White Rose Motorcycle
Club in Jefferson, PA and Muskegon Motorcycle Club
in Muskegon, MI. This race format differs from
normal in that a third round is ran with places
tenth to first get an extra run at the hill to
determine points and purse payout. It also rewards
the rider with the fastest time out of each round
with bonus money of $100, $150 and $250 respective
for the rounds.
Since then, 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 2011 season,
the rider who accumulates the most points out of the
9 rounds, with the lowest finish being dropped, will
be crowned as the 2011 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.
