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AMA: Hillclimbers Hope for Clear Skies in Avoca, N.Y.; Steel City Round Rescheduled

19 June 1998

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- This weekend's American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) National Hillclimb will see riders returning the hills of Avoca, N.Y., for their first competition in more than two weeks, thanks to a rare rainout of the series' previous event.

In the hillclimb's premier 800cc class, Glendal Petty Jr. of Mooresville, Ind., will arrive in Avoca with the series lead, a single point ahead of Madison, W. Va., native Willie Price and James Large of Orient, Ohio. Petty can not afford a repeat of last season's ninth place performance at Avoca if he hopes to retain the lead. Price, who placed second last year at Avoca, could take over first place with a repeat performance this weekend. Rounding out the top five positions are Paul Zander of Glen Rock, Penn., a mere two points back, and Indianapolis, Ind., native Russ Vanderveen, just four points out of first.

In the 540cc class, Ted Wilkins looks to extend his perfect season. The Rotax-mounted Canadian has captured first place in each of the first two rounds of the series and takes a 5-point lead into this Sunday's event. Finishing in eighth place last year at Avoca puts the pressure on Wilkins to perform well this weekend. In second place is defending champion Paul Pinsonnault of Brookfield, Mass. Pinsonnault, who finished second last year at Avoca, can close the gap on Wilkins with a strong showing Sunday.

For further event information for the Avoca round, including directions to the track, and ticket information, please contact the Hornell Motorcycle Club at (607) 324-6591.

Rainouts are rare on the hillclimb circuit, but last weekend's gully-washers at the Steel City, Penn., round turned the hill into a muddy mess, left a foot-deep pile of muck in the starting box and standing water in the pits. As a result, the Steel City race has been rescheduled for July 19, 1998. Contact Bushkill Valley MC by phone for further information at (610) 258-3208.