Former pro racer named 'king' of Tower Hill

WEIRS BEACH — Hundreds of spectators lined Tower Hill Tuesday afternoon to watch 20 riders blast their antique bikes up the hill, with former professional rider Jeff Heino taking the top time at 9.6 seconds.

Heino, 68, was named “King of the Hill” by announcer Ray Sapirstein. He’s a bit of a celebrity, who formerly rode professionally and actually had no intention of competing. Heino’s friend, Mark Nutter, brought along a Honda CB1100F, tuned by a man who goes by Conrad. Nutter lent the bike to Heino for the race, and while he claimed the top time during his second run, it was his third run when he gave a little show.

“It’s always fun to do a wheelie at 100,” Heino said.

Heino wasn’t sure of his actual top speed, but one thing was for sure: it was fast. He beat out the second place time by nearly a full second.

Heino, who has property in Henniker, but has lived in Daytona, for about 30 years, said he races everything. He rode professionally until 1998. He won the AMA/CCS Endurance Challenge in 1992, and was one of the top racers of the 1980s. Heino said he hadn’t been on a bike in this format for two years, and he was pumped to pick up the top time.

“I love it,” he said. “I just wanted to put on a show, and have a good time. It was nice to get a good wheelie in on the last one.”

Heino was at the race with his buddy Harry Klinzmann, who is also a celebrity rider of sorts, and served as the grand marshal for the event. He was the winner of the 1978 AMA Superbike race at the Autumn National Laconia Classic, held at what is now New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Klinzmann is no stranger to Laconia Motorcycle Week, as he has been coming to the rally for more than four decades, but he is new to the Tower Hill Climb.

“It’s my first time here, and probably one of the most awesome days I’ve ever had,” Klinzmann said.

The runs are timed, but he called the event an exhibition, fun for riders and spectators alike.

Doug Donelan, United States Classic Racing Association director, said the started as the original hill climb in Laconia, from 1916, and the USCRA brought it back to Laconia Motorcycle Week eight years ago.

“We keep the range of bikes from anything from the pre-classic era, pre-1950, all the way up to the mid- to late ‘70s,” he said.

The oldest motorcycles in the event, according to Sapirstein, were three Harley-Davidson 45s, from 1942.

Donelan was riding with Motorcycle Week Deputy Director Jenn Anderson in the side car, dubbed the monkey seat. He also praised Anderson and Executive Director Charlie St. Clair for their work putting on the rally year after year, and as far as Anderson’s riding abilities, he said she is “a natural.”

“Jenn is great people, and I think she is a natural at being a passenger,” he said. “The best part of this event is entertaining all the fans, putting on a show. What’s it like going up the hill? It’s crazy. It’s bumpy. It’s scary. You just go straight and hope nobody runs out in front of you.”

Anderson was in a crouched position in the monkey seat, and said she doesn’t think she’s ever been that close to the ground at that speed.

“It was crazy,” Anderson said. “I think I’ve got the race fever. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.”

Anderson called the massive turnout “unbelievable.”

“They were all so excited to see every single bike,” Anderson said.

St. Clair was watching along with the spectators, taking video, as bikes of varied types and vintages ripped up the hill. He commented on those with which he was impressed, and others that made a lot of noise, but not as much action. St. Clair was excited for Anderson getting into the monkey seat.

“In my mind, this is the star of the show,” St. Clair, said as she and Donelan made their way to the starting line. “I’m very proud of her. She’s never done this. She’s a real trooper.”

St. Clair has never participated in the event, but has taken his bike up the hill. He said many people don’t realize just how steep it is unless they have walked it or ridden it.

“It’s not for the faint of heart,” St. Clair said.

Sapirstein thought it was an incredible day, saying the fun organization is made up of all genders, ages, and skillsets.

Many riders in the organization come to Laconia Motorcycle Week year after year, but one member died this past year, Harry Syphers, who he said always rode the smallest bike. Syphers rode a Honda MB5 50cc until six months before he died, and was racing right until the end.

“We have a multi-talented group coming from all backgrounds,” Sapirstein said. “All sorts of freaks and weirdos, and freaky weird bikes.”

St. Clair called them a “dedicated group of riders,” noting while the weather was perfect this year, that’s not always the case.

“Last year it rained, and they still pulled it off,” St. Clair said.

Some spectators were checking it out for the first time. Phil Belanger came from Wells, Maine, on a scouting mission, as he plans to participate in the future. He owns a 1966 BSA 650 Lightning, and wanted to see what the hill climb was about.

“It’s my first time watching, this and I’m very interested,” Belanger said.

Larry Follansbee came from Franklin, and said he's been coming to Motorcycle Week for nearly 40 years, dating back to when the majority of the event took place at the speedway. He was enjoying the hill climb, although he was hoping for a little more variety.

Scott Savory was with his girlfriend Sharon Elliott, coming from Essex, Massachusetts, as well as Lisa Hawkesworth, from Newbury, Massachusetts. Savory rides a 2012 Harley-Davidson Street Glide, with Elliott on the back, and Hawkesworth rides a 2018 Suzuki Boulevard. They love people-watching, bike-watching, and everything in between. Elliott used to work with one of the racers, but none of them had seen a hill climb.

Bill and Paula Parker came from Exeter, saying it was their first time at the Tower Hill Climb, but they’ve been coming to the rally since the 1970s. They owned Triumph and Victory motorcycles and rode until 2019, but since they had grandchildren, they decided to go to Motorcycle Week to meet the good people there, and check out the bikes. They were especially excited about the Tower Hill Climb.

“This brings me back to it,” Bill Parker said. “I told Charlie St. Clair, 'This is the best thing to happen to Bike Week in a while.' Motorcycle enthusiasts are here. All these bikes bring you back. It’s a good feeling. Good people. Everyone’s enjoying it, and it’s done a lot for Bike Week.”

The rally runs through Sunday, June 21.

Donelan called the day a complete success, saying everyone crossed the finish line safely, which is the most important part.

“The ambulance didn’t have to move,” Donelan said. “As long as nobody gets hurt, it’s a good day.”