Motorcycle champs return to Pikes Peak Hill Climb July 19

With 106 racers already entered, the 2009 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb's motorcycle competition will fill the Rocky Mountain air with a king-sized roar on July 19.

Defending champion John "Krash" Stallworth of Andover, Kansas, will be back to take a shot at a repeat crown in the exciting Quad 500 Class showdown on his 2006 Yamaha Banshee. He won the event last year on a 2004 Banshee with a winning time of 12:19.204.

The 45-year-old racer has chalked up one of the most enviable records at the Race To The Clouds, with five wins in the Quad 500 Class to his credit, plus five "Top Five" finishes in the AMA Pro Am quad five years in a row, with one national title. He's also the closed course national speed record holder.

2008 runner-up Mike Ell of Raymore, Mo., will return to challenge Stallworth again on a 2002 Banshee. He was the 2007 champion and took third in 2006 on the Hill.

Also seeking a repeat title this summer will be 2008 750cc champion Davey "Super Dave" Durelle of Elizabeth, who won the event last year on his 2008 Aprilia SM 550 in a clocking of 11:42.991.

He's a winner of 12 Hill Climb events, and the current record holder for 750cc and over motorcycle division. The veteran racer was a Grand National dirt track competitor from 1985-1996, a Formula USA competitor from 2002-2003, and won one national dirt track crown and finished fourth overall in 2003.

2008 third place finisher Marco Belli of Varese, Italy, brings his skills to Pikes Peak to battle with Durelle again this year. Belli was the British National Short Track Champion (2005-2007-2008) and Italian short track champion (2001-2002).

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is America's second-oldest motor sports race behind the Indianapolis 500, conducted since 1916. The race is run on a 12.42 mile course that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110-foot summit of America's Mountain.

This year's race has 11 classes and features a variety of automotive, semi truck, exhibition, open wheel, super stock car, pro truck and motorcycle classes with a field approaching 200 competitors.

The event's popular "Fan Fest," which will attract some 35,000 fans and participants, is set for the evening of Friday, July 17, in downtown Colorado Springs. The crowds will be able to see some of the autos, trucks and motorcycles up close, meet the drivers, and enjoy music, food and entertainment.