August 8-9, 2009 - Grand Junction Colorado

On August 8th and 9th, 2009, Duncan Racing International riders Alex Helton and Jim Vidmar competed in the Land's End Hill Climb near Grand Junction, Colorado.  The Land’s End Hill Climb was the third event in the Colorado Hill Climb Association’s (CHCA) 2009 racing season.  The Colorado Hill Climb Association sanctions auto hill climbs for cars, trucks and ATVs. Jim and Alex came into the event with high expectations after a very successful 2009 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb where Jim finished first, with a time of 12:34.598. Prior to the Land’s End Hill Climb, Jim was third overall in the Pro-Quad points and Alex was second in points; trailing Mike Tollett by only one point.

On Saturday, after three runs, Alex was the fast qualifier with a time of 5:14.25 and Jim was fourth fastest after qualifying with a time of 5:22.96. Both racers were squarely focused on the road and having three clean runs. Both DRI Banshees ran flawlessly and the only change made on Saturday was a change of tires on both bikes.

On Sunday, as the fastest qualifier, Alex ran last. The Land’s End race course begins at approximately 6500 feet above sea level and ends at just over 8000 feet above sea level. The course has several hair pin turns and a long straightaway where both Alex and Jim were clocked at 80 miles per hour on the radar gun. On his first run, Alex had a time of 05:12.11 and was in first place. Jim’s time was 5:23.94 and he was disappointed with his effort. On the second run, Alex improved his time and ran a 5:09.06. Jim chopped nearly 10 seconds off of his first run time and clocked in at 5:14.09. Jim and Alex were hoping for a DRI sweep of the top two spots, but Brady Dimmick edged Jim for second place. Point leader Mike Tollett had a tough day and suffered a DNF. After the event Alex and Jim were sitting first and second in the points with one event remaining.

After the event, Alex said “My Duncan Racing 500 Banshee ran great all weekend.” He attributed his win to the fact that he had a great bike set up and he made very few changes through the course of the weekend. Alex claimed the victory in this event for the second year in a row. Alex said “the Paul Turner Racing Exhaust’s gave the mid range and top end pull needed to win this event.”

The final CHCA event of the season is scheduled for September 12th and 13th, 2009 in Deer Trail, Colorado. Alex and Jim are hoping for a first and second place finish, as well as, a first and second in the CHCA overall points.

Photo Credit: Page1Photography

Alex Helton

ALEX HELTON	JIM VIDMAR