ROXIE FROMANG PHOTO
Another Rangely Canyon Pintado Hill Climb is in the books! The Colorado Hill Climb Association racers kicked off the weekend with a community racer meet and greet at the Rangely Automotive Museum on Friday evening. Between the event on Friday and walking around the pit area after a race day, these racers are all about involving the youth. Hot Wheels cars and t-shirts were given out and to the ultra curious youth, racers allowed them to sit in their souped up rides. Steve “Martini” Bennett with the Martini Race Team spoke about working on sponsoring two drivers that are at least 14-years-old.
“Where else can you walk on and be sponsored as a 14-year-old kid?” He asked.
After the dust settled on the 10 mile race course with six tough switchbacks on Sunday afternoon, eight records had been broken. Tyler Portillo of Colorado Springs reset his pro quad record. This time with a 4:02.79, five seconds faster than his record-breaking run on Saturday. Smark A. Myth of Denver broke the Super Sprint record with a time of 4:00.42, Smark now owns both Rangely Hill Climb records. Dennis Durmas of Whitewater continues his dominance in the UTV division, beating his old UTV record with a time of 3:56.62. In the sportsman division, Jimmy Ford of Colorado Springs has set a new record. Coming in at a time of 4:07.24, Ford not only set the new course record but also narrowly escaped with the points championship, beating Kyle Cosgrove by one point. Travis Newbold of Montrose broke the motorcycle record he set on Saturday with a time of 4:13.53. Newbold is now the faster than fastest man on two wheels. Ryan Middleton has again set another record, with a time of 4:10.53. Middleton now has the super stock truck record, beating the old record time by four seconds. Mike Magee of Palisade has the new Rangely stock car record. With brake issues on Saturday, Magee didn’t get much practice time, but that didn’t matter. With a time of 3:59.80, Magee had the record for the stock car division. Last but not least, the “Man of Steele” wins overall again. Spencer Steele of Denver has broken the previous open competition record by seven seconds. With a time of 3:42.92. Spencer now owns the fastest overall time at the Rangely Hill Climb. Congratulations to all the racers. Rangely can’t wait to see you again in 2020.
By roxie fromang
Special to the Herald Times
