Snowmobiles join bikes at hill climb

For the thousands of spectators at the 14th annual Gunstock Hillclimb Wednesday, there was an

undeniable thrill watching the motorcycles make their way up the steep dirt, ski jump hill in a matter of seconds.

But watching a snowmobile eat up the same ground in a little less time was an awesome display of raw engine power and skill that brought cheer after cheer.

It’s something that Dave Stroud of Stroud Racing in New Hampton never gets tired of hearing.

Last year, Stroud and his drivers — son Favian Stroud, T.J. Galligan of Gilford, and Dennis Jackes, Deryk Beaudin and Christopher Mulley, all of Belmont — came to the hillclimb at Gunstock Mountain Resort to put on

a demonstration. This year, they were able to compete in the event, racing in the “open” classification

against ATVs and other specialty vehicles. The team has even been invited to a national American

Motorcycle Association (AMA) event in West Virginia.

Some bikers don’t like the snowmobiles because they “chew up” the dirt, Stroud said.

But the motorcycle enthusiasts in the area for Bike Week obviously enjoy watching the Artic Cats plow up the hill because they’re unusual — and fast.

“They really go,” Stroud said. “They’re going 70 miles per hour, doing the hill in six seconds.”

Most of the motorcyclists could not match that time Wednesday, although several came close and some even

beat that.

The balmy weather made for a terrific turnout for the event. Bill Quigley, Gunstock Marketing and Sales

Director, said around 2 p.m. that he estimated the crowd at about 12,000, making it one of the most popular activities during Bike Week.

And the crowd was as varied as the vehicles. There were young families, old bikers, younger fans — and

more than a few people who looked more like NASCAR fans than typical biking fans.

In fact, some of the more accomplished riders even looked like NASCAR drivers with plenty of protective

gear and colorful outfits including sponsors logos. Pro racer Ryan Thibeault wore a black paisley racing sit.

Mike Doiron of Beverly Farms, Mass. competed in the 40-year-plus category on his Honda 250. “I’ve never

done this before,” he confessed. “I was coming just to watch. But my dad said I should do it. He said I

could. He used to race these all the time. “If I must make it to the top I’ll consider it a win,”

he laughed.

The Gunstock Hillclimb is organized and promoted by the Ridge Runners, a New England racing association. Michael Farnsworth, who is head of the organization, said that hillclimbing races were actually the first ever

sanctioned by the AMA. “Now the motocross guys get all the attention,” he said. “Events like this help evolve our sport to what it once was.”

The Gunstock Hillclimb is unusual for several reasons. One is that its proximity with Motorcycle Week makes

it easily the most popular event in the New England hillclimb circuit — in fact, the second most popular such event in the country. The other is that the climb is strait up, while most climbs have several jumps.

“This is a racing track,” said Evans Clough, who has been racing the circuit for the last seven years.

The racing categories included 50, 250, 400, 600 and 750 cc machines and there were special categories for

young people, people over 40 years old, and women. Each rider is given two attempts to reach the summit of the 70-meter ski jump.