Big Nasty Hillclimb

Idaho's Largest Motorcycle Event, The Big Nasty, Returns in September

The 8th annual Chaos Energy, Big Nasty Hillclimb is set for September 17-19, 2010, and will once again be held on the 1,000 acre Pence Ranch, in an area known locally as the White Cliffs, 4 1/2 miles north of New Plymouth, Idaho. It is Idaho's largest motorcycle event, and will pull in over 12,000 spectators from across the Western United States. It is also the only professional motorcycle hillclimb in the entire Northwest. The Pence Ranch is one of Idaho's oldest, having been homesteaded in 1879, and owner Tom Pence was asked why he would allow thousands of people to camp, and hundreds to hillclimb on his property. He replied "Well, I can't grow anything on that hill, and there isn't much up there for the cows to eat either. It is a lot of fun, and it is a good fund-raiser for some of the local kids."

The Big Nasty Weekend is a unique, eclectic event, sort of a Burning Man meets NASCAR kind of thing, but first and foremost, it is one of the premier motorcycle hillclimbs in the world, and many have referred to it as "The toughest hillclimb on earth." In 2009, almost 600 entries ran throughout the weekend, and the best riders and machines from across the U.S. will return again in 2010, from the 250-horsepower, nitro Harley's, to the stretched-out, fuel-injected Yamaha's, these are wild, noisy, exotic machines that you can't see anywhere else in the Northwest.

The pro hill is over 600 feet long and starts right in the middle of the spectator area, before jumping the road and heading straight up over jumps, turns and cliff sections. Friday and Saturday's amateur and pro qualifying hills are shorter, but are nearly as steep and sinister as their bigger brother. A total of 27 trophy classes will run on Friday and Saturday, for stock dirt bikes ranging from 50cc minis to 450 motocross units, to old bikes.

Expect to see a few daring riders claw their way over the top, and many more stall out or flip over, as brave men with big ropes and hooks, called catchers, try to grab bikes and riders before they flip and tumble toward the bottom of the hill.

Over 600 camping passes were sold last year, and the gates open to campers at 9am on Friday morning. Amateur competition then begins at noon on Friday and runs continuously until about 11pm on Friday evening, finishing under lights. Pro qualifying starts at 9am on Saturday, with a combination of pro, semi-pro and amateur competition running all day until ending at about 11pm, when the Big Nasty fireworks show will take center stage on Saturday night. The pro finals start at 9:30 on Sunday morning and will wrap up at about 4pm.

Hillclimbing is just part of the adventure at the Big Nasty. Other entertainment includes ATV Adventure rides and mud bog competition, live music, pumpkin shooting, freestyle shows, helicopter rides, a new, motorcycle dual sport ride, a kids bouncy, air boat rides in the river, a Sunday morning service, and overnight camping in the surrounding hay fields. As always, all kinds of food and beverages will be available on site, from funnel cakes to breakfast burritos.

Ticket prices range from $10 per day (advance) to $15 per day at the gate, children ages 6-12 are $5 per day, and kids 5-under are free. Discount coupons will be available at all 25 Treasure Valley Stinker Stores, and all 24 Southern Idaho Les Schwab Tire Stores and NAPA Parts Stores will sell tickets, starting on August 10.

Sincerely, Ron Dillon, Tom Pence and the Big Nasty Crew

PS-Please send us your thoughts, ideas complaints and suggestions anytime. We read and respond to all of them. (208) 573-4255, bignasty@cableone.net

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