The only NAHA professional motorcycle hillclimb in the Northwest, the 4th annual, Big Nasty, once again sprang to life on July 15-16 and brought together its usual eclectic mix of interesting hillclimbers, machines and fans. Once again it lived up to its name; as only a total of six riders climbed the biggest, nastiest 460-foot hill over the entire weekend, and only six trophy riders scaled the smaller, 250-foot trophy hill that was also used for the pro main event qualifying. Even the little hill gave many pro riders absolute fits. Dubbed "The Big Nasty," the event was held on a scary steep, (62 degree) hill in an area known as the White Cliffs, three miles north of New Plymouth, Idaho, near Big Willow Creek. There were nearly 400 entries from nine states and Canada, who climbed two different hills over the weekend; a 250-foot hill was used for trophy riders and pro qualifying, and a 460-foot monster which was attacked by the pro and semi-pro riders each day. The Big Nasty continues to grow and spectator attendance again hit a new record, drawing a verifiable 10,000-plus spectators for the weekend, despite record temperatures of over 100F. This year’s Big Nasty was one of only six, 2006 NAHA (North American Hillclimb Association) points events and as such, virtually all of the top pro hillclimbers in the Western U.S. were in attendance. Saturday and Sunday's pros competed for almost $22,000 in cash and for the third year in a row proved that the hill was worthy of its nasty name. The event tried to offer something for everyone including a food row, vendor area, kids inflatable play area (The Little Nasty), snowmobile stunts and climbs, concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, a street bike poker run and a classy, National Anthem and flag presentation ceremony each day, courtesy of the US Navy Color Guard. A Friday evening rider BBQ, sponsored by the Idaho Beef Council, served up free beef to the hillclimbers and their families and overnight spectator camping (and leashed dogs) were actually encouraged, which gave a kind of “Woodstock” feel to the weekend as several thousand people spent the weekend at the hill. Saturday featured several big winners, but none of the over-40 year-old pros or 250cc motored semi-pros were able to top the big hill, (no one in those classes ever has). Alberta Canada’s legendary Kenny “Mad Dog” Long does get closer and closer each year to making it, and he set another personal best this year, finally digging a hole at an oh-so-close 395 feet to win the over-40, 701-Open pro class with his shrieking, wailing, 800cc Rotax 2-stroke twin- powered open bike. He came right back and took his slightly smaller 700cc Rotax up to 391 feet to also win the over-40, 700 pro class.

While the older pros and semi-pros were throwing themselves at the big hill on Saturday, trophy riders attacked the smaller 250-foot hill. Although short by Western hill standards, it proved to be deceptively tough and only six trophy riders fought their way over the top all day, (and three of those were older, experienced riders in the altered class who were allowed to use modified machines). Of the true, stock motorcycles, only three were able to get over the top, a rare and impressive feat. Idaho’s Taylor Friesz blasted over the hill in 8.06 seconds to smoke the 31-rider, 251-650cc 4-stroke trophy class and Royce Toraft and Kelly Peterson both summited the hill to take first and second in the equally-competitive 251-650cc 2-stroke trophy class. Anyone who can make that nasty, little hill on a stock motorcycle clearly deserves a tip of the visor.

By late afternoon on Saturday, the trophy riders moved aside and pro qualifying began on the 250-foot hill. Austin Taylor and Dusty Beer were the two fastest qualifiers in the 701-open qualifying round with times of 5.5 and 5.6 seconds respectfully. The smaller bikes in the 251-700 qualifiers actually turned in even faster times with Jason Smith (5.2) and Kenny "Maddog" Long (5.8 seconds) leading the way.

Due to the heat (which withered the catchers) and large number of bikes, some of the trophy riders were delayed from riding until after the pro qualifying was done and this made for a long day. One of the last trophy riders on Saturday, Gary Gump from Redmond, Oregon, won the 50+ senior trophy class in fine style, ripping over the top of the little hill in 9.9 seconds at 9:40 pm on his trusty ATK.

Sunday’s show consisted of two classes, the 251-700cc main and the 701cc-open main. After two years of frustrating dust on the top of the big hill, organizers finally were able to get the watering system cranked up to the point that the entire hill was moist and dust free. This, combined with steel bolts on the tires, (steel is legal again at NAHA events) meant that the first 251-700 main event rider of the day, Jason Smith, blew right over top in 14.4 seconds. However, Smith was the only rider to top the hill in the first round, as others struggled with the cliff face at the 330-foot mark. As usual, all of the bikes seemed to get to the same 340-foot mark and dig a hole or flip over and tumble back down the cliff face. Fortunately, the soft dirt at the bottom of the cliff, and the "catchers" workers armed with metal grappling hooks, prevented any serious injuries. Just as it appeared that Smith had it won, Utah legend Travis Whitlock flew his 550 KTM over in 14.096 to win the class. That was it, however; no other bikes in the class scaled the hill and additional summits would have to wait for the open bikes.

An intermission was taken between the 700 and Open mains and featured snowmobile jumps and stunts by Arctic Cat factory rider Chris Burandt who flew nearly 100 feet through the air a number of times as he performed a number of tricks. The snowmobile portion was concluded by a grudge match between Burandt and a couple of other riders and sleds from Fruitland Outdoor Power Sports trying to climb the 250-foot hill. No one made the hill (although Burandt did get the highest), but two of the sleds wound up flipping violently into each other, totaling both of them to the delight of thousands of cheering fans, (no one got hurt and the machines were old, "beater" sleds).

At this point, back on the big hill, only one class remained, the Open Exhibition, featuring machines with unlimited motors and up to 220-horsepower. However, the hill was again starting to get dry and torn up and the bigger (and heavier) machines didn’t fare any better than their smaller displacement cousins. Only Brett Peterson’s incredible time of 11.187 seconds and Travis Whitlock (15.036 seconds) were able to get their bikes over the top.

The weekend ended with the King of the Hill Shootout, giving the top five Open bikes one more shot at the hill. California’s Brett Peterson proved once again that it was his day as he pinned his big Harley and blasted up to 383 feet before stalling, putting $600 in his pocket and his name on the Big Nasty "King of the Hill" perpetual trophy.

The organizers wish to extend a hearty "helmets off" to the sponsors: Miller Light, Birds of Prey Harley-Davidson, Moto Tech, Michael’s Idaho Powersports, Fruitland Outdoor Power Products, Hanigan Chevrolet, Edge Performance Honda and Suzuki, Wired Energy Drink, Les Schwab Tires, The Double Diamond Saloon, Pepsi and Nagel Beverage Company, Ontario Tool and Rental, Grizzly Sports, The Boise Weekly, Wells Fargo Bank, United Oil, EZ Mart, Channel 6 Television, J105 and the X Radio, The Idaho Beef Council, and Mirage Trailers. A big thank you is also in order to the small army of volunteers who helped, and to the landowner, Tom Pence, and Rory Clinton of Shore-Line Pest Control, who fought the vicious, Payette County mosquitoes to a standstill for four days at the site and to IrvCo Construction who kept the dust down. The event could not have happened either without the support of both the New Plymouth City and Payette County officials. For more info call Ron Dillon at (208) 573-4255.