Jimmy Marietta (left) and Jordan Stank (right) pocketing an ADDITIONAL $500 each for winning Pro Stock and Pro Mod King of the Hill.
Whether it was 7 Tenths of a second or 7 One Hundredth of a second, it was the difference of taking home an additional $500.00 or going home without $500.00. This close competition took place last weekend in South Range as a part of the Vollwerth’s Meats Mid America Championship Hillclimb (MACH).
The MACH was the final qualifier for the Mid America Snow & Terrain Expert Racers (MASTERS) qualifier for the World Championship Hillclimb in Jackson, Wyoming.
Hubbell’s Jimmy Marietta won the Wildlife Refuge Cabins Pro Stock King of the Hill by 7 Tenths of a second over Alston’s Kaiden Kaurala. Marietta is the MASTERS number 1 Professional Snowmobile Hillclimber.
One of many great shots from the MASTERS Photographer, David Archambeau. This is Jimmy Marietta going over the Wall on a Pat’s Motorsports Polaris
Kaurala competed for the 1st time as a Pro Hillclimber. Kaurala qualified for the World Championship in the Junior Division at the WINTERNATIONALS Hillclimb.
“He wanted to run pro, since he had already qualified for the World Championship,” stated his Father, Travis Kaurala. “He really did Good!”
Father and Son tandem going to the World Championship. Alston, Michigan’s Travis and Kaiden Kaurala.
Marietta ran over the ‘Wall’ at the steep Whealkate Bluff in 46.15 seconds. Kaurala shot up the hill in 46.76 seconds. Marietta qualified for the Pro Stock King of the Hill by winning in 2 classes, Jam’s Service Open Stock and M & M Powersports Stock 850. It was Marietta’s 1st run that set the bar for Kaurala to beat. Kaurala won the Dynamite Towing Stock 650 class.
Trimountain’s Roger Strack won the Great Lakes Minerals Stock 700 class. He had a 52.15 run in the Pro Stock King of the Hill shootout.
While the fans thought the Pro Stock shoot-out was close, it was in the Vollwerth’s Meats Pro Mod King of the Hill that it came down to 7 one hundredth of a second between taking home $500! MTU Alumnus, Jordan Stank of Muskego, Wisconsin ran the hill in 45.40. Marietta turned in a 45.47.
One of only 2 MASTERS Hillclimbers to advance to the Finals at the World Championship. This is Jordan Stank of Muskego, Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of David Archambeau.
Stank’s run in that shoot-out turned out to be the Premium Spray Foam and Coatings fastest time of the day. Marietta’s run was the 2nd fastest time. Kaurala also qualified for the Pro Mod shoot out, and he had the 3rd fastest time of the day, a 46.03.
It was a Hillclimb where the future of the MASTERS looked bright. Not just with Kaurala’s performance, but also Laurium’s Steven Voelker. Voelker’s first Hillclimb was at the WINTERNATIONALS. At this Hillclimb, the 15 year old just missed going through the timing Shute. He had a high mark of 210 yards. Right behind him was a 14 year old girl from Friendship, Wisconsin. Her name is Kenzie Pokszyk. Pokszyk went 209 yards in the Diamond House International Junior King of the Hill Shoot-out.
Father and Daughter going to the World Championship. Kenzie and her Father Jesse Poksyzk o Friendship, Wisconsin
Voelker is the son of MASTERS Hall of Fame member, Paul Voelker. “I called the boss (his wife) to see if Steve can go to Jackson. Within a few seconds we knew he was going to the World Championship,” commented Paul. “I’m retired so now I have time to spend it with Steven!”
Kenzie Poksyzk has already qualified for the WC (World Championship) through the Rocky Mountain States Hillclimb Association (RHMSA). It was last Sunday that her Dad, Jesse, qualified by winning the Patriot Towing Spirit Class. Jesse Poksyzk had a run where his snowmobile ended up rolling over him. The roll-over broke his Helmet. The pain in his neck prevented him from running in the Pro Mod King of the Hill, but will not prevent him from being with his Daughter at the WC.
Destiny Welch of Brook Park, Minnesota, qualified for her 2nd World Championship.
Mohawk’s Stephanie Monette won the Daily Mining Gazette Queen of the Hill. Monette already qualified for the WC by winning at the WINTERNATIONALS. Brook Park, Minnesota’s Destiny Welch took second and will join Monette in the Women’s Division at Jackson.
The MASTERS wants to clarify that the Circuit’s Pat’s Motorsports Snow Bike Class will not be renamed the Joliff Snow Bike Class. Even though the 3 Joliff boys have dominated in the Pat’s Motorsports Snow Bike Class.
It was at the WINTERNATIONALS that KJ Joliff beat his brother Colin in the shoot-out. It looked like KJ was going to do it again as he qualified for the Pat’s Motorsports King of the Hill with a 56.88 run, while Colin had a 60.15. With only the top 2 times advancing, 16 year old Brayden Kirtland just missed the cut with a 68 second run.
However the Snow Bike shootout would give Colin Joliff one more shot at beating his brother KJ. Colin beat KJ by only one second! Colin had a 58.88, KJ ran a 59.83.
Proud Parents of Jemma Marietta!
Addison Dishaw of Ontonagon held on to the #1 Spot in the Sigma Tau Gamma Children’s 250 class by holding off Brayden Hawkins and Clay Burke. All 3 are from Ontonagon. In the 120 class it was another Ontonagon youngster, Connor Pestka, taking a 1st, while 4 year old Jemma Marietta took a 2nd.
It will be this coming Saturday that the Children will be competing against each other in the North Country Snowmobile Club Terra-X races in Ontonagon. Dishaw, Hawkins, Burke, Pestka, and Marietta will have strong competition from other children that have been competing in Snow Cross races this winter.
(Left to Right) Mid America Championship Hillclimb Kids King/Queen of the Hill, Addison Dishaw, Brayden Hawkins, Klay Burke, Connor Pestla, Jemma Marietta
One of the features this Saturday in Ontonagon is the V-5. This is where 1999 and older 500 cc sleds will race for a ½ hour straight. It was last Saturday that the top Vintage Snowmobile Hillclimbers competed in the Vintage I and Vintage II.
Marietta has won the Vintage II class last year, and he won it again at the MACH. He defeated the talented Dave Dishaw of Ontonagon with a 60 second run. Earlier in the day, Marietta turned a 57 second run to go into the Keweenaw Chevrolet-GMC shoot-out.
The only time that Jimmy Marietta loses it right at the Wall before the Digital Timing Shute. Another great shot from Archy!
“I am very confident with my Vintage Polaris. To the point I have even thought about running that sled in the Pro 650 Class,” Marietta stated.
The fans were treated to an exciting run in the Vintage I class. This is for the old ‘leaf-spring’ snowmobiles of the early 70’s. It was in this class that Ontonagon’s Adam Dehnert took his old Yamaha over the top of Whealkate Bluff! His challenger, was 60+ year old Larry Madgewick, who had his best run of 99 yards.
“I just wanted to run this hill. It’s been something I have wanted to do for a long time. I had a lot of fun and proud of going as far as I could. It was amazing to see how far Adam (Dehnert) did on that old Yamaha,” commented Madgewick.
Madgewick will be competing at this Saturday’s Terra-X on his Vintage Arctic Cats.
Marietta, Dishaw, Strack and Wyatt McIntyre all qualified for the World Championship but has given up their ticket to Jackson. Representing the MASTERS at the World Championship in addition to Jordan Stank, Kaeden Kaurala, Steven Voelker, Stephanie Monette, Destiny Welch, Jesse and Kenzie Poksyzk, will be Travis Kaurala, and Layne Stank. Both will be running in the 40 and older class. Possibly also running in that class will be Josh Bramble of Toivola.
MASTERS Hall of Fame member, and another World Championship for Menomonee, Michigan’s Layne Stank. Photo courtesy of David Archambeau.
Mid America Championship Hillclimb 2023 Results
Wildlife Refuge Cabins Pro Stock King of the Hill: 1) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI. Polaris, 46.15 (1st Run); 2) Kaiden Kaurala, Alston, MI., Ski-Doo, 46.76; 3) Jimmy Marietta, Polaris, 48.15 (2nd Run); 4) Roger Strack, Trimountain, MI., Polaris, 52.15.
Vollwerth’s Meats Pro Mod King of the Hill: 1) Jordan Stank, Muskego, WI., Polaris, 45.40; 2) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris, 45.47 (1st Run); 3) Kaiden Kaurala, Alston, MI., Ski-Doo, 46.03; 4) Jimmy Marietta, Polaris, 209 yards, (2nd Run).
Daily Mining Gazette Women’s Queen of the Hill: 1) Stephanie Monette, Mohawk, MI., Ski-Doo, 88 yards. 2) Destiny Welch, Brook Park, MN., Ski-Doo, 85 yards.
Pat’s Motorsports Snow Bike King of the Hill: 1) Colin Joliff, Mass City, MI., Honda 450, 58.88 2) KJ Joliff, Mass City, MI., Honda 450, 59.83.
Keweenaw Chevrolet-GMC Vintage II King of the Hill: 1) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris, 60.01. 2) Dave Dishaw, Ontonagon, MI., Yamaha, 161 yards.
Diamond House International Junior King of the Hill: 1) Steven Voelker, Laurium, MI., Ski-Doo, 210 Yards; 2) Kenzie Pokszyk, Friendship, WI., Ski-Doo, 209 Yards.
Sigma Tau Gamma 250cc Kids King of the Hill: 1) Addison Dishaw, Ontonagon, MI., Tao. 2) Brayden Hawkins, Ontonagon, MI., Yamaha.
Sigma Tau Gamma 120cc Kids King of the Hill: 1) Connor Pestka, Ontonagon, MI., Arctic Cat. 2) Jemma Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris.
(KOH- King of Hill)
Pat’s Motorsports Snow Bike KOH Qualifying Run: 1) KJ Joliff, Mass City, MI., Honda, 56.88; 2) Colin Joliff, Mass City, Yamaha, 60.15. 3) Braedyn Kirtland, Mass City, MI., Yamaha, 68.02.
Keweenaw Chevrolet-GMC Vintage II KOH Qualifying Run: 1) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris, 57.61; 2) Dave Dishaw, Ontonagon, MI., Yamaha, 209 yards; 3) Larry Madgewick, Rockland, MI., 81 yards.
Diamond House International Junior KOH Qualifying Run: 1) Kenzie Poksyzk, Friendship, WI., Ski-Doo, 55.03; 2) Steven Voelker, Hubbell, MI., Ski-Doo, 59.62. 3) Caleb Joliff, Mass City, MI., Polaris, 64.90.
Daily Mining Gazette Women’s KOH Qualifying Run: 1) Stephanie Monette, Mohawk, MI., Ski-Doo, 142 yards; 2) Destiny Welch, Brook Park, MN., Ski-Doo, 84 yards; 3) Brooke Turin, Greenland, MI., Polaris, 79 yards.
Keweenaw Chevrolet-GMC Vintage I Class: 1) Adam Dehnert, Ontonagon, MI., Yamaha, 52:03; 2) Larry Madgewick, Rockland, MI., Arctic Cat, 99 yards.
Sigma Tau Gamma 250cc Kids Class: 1) Addison Dishaw, Ontonagon, MI., Tao; 2) Brayden Hawkins, Ontonagon, MI., Yamaha; 3) Klay Burke, Ontonagon, MI., Yamaha.
Moyle Construction Pro Open Mod Class: 1) Jordan Stank, Muskego, WI., Polaris, 51.44; 2) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris, 52.62; 3) Jacob Ketola, L’Anse, MI., Ski-Doo, 53.74.
Timberline Sports Pro Mod 850 Class: 1) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris, 46.94; 2) Travis Kaurala, Alston, MI., Ski-Doo, 48.06; 3) Dave Dishaw, Ontonagon, MI., Ski-Doo, 50.84.
Keweenaw Motorsports Pro Mod 700 Class: 1) Kaiden Kaurala, Alston, MI., Ski-Doo, 47.19. 2) Luke Maher, Hastings, MN., Polaris, 51.56. 3) Wyatt McIntyre, Greenland, MI., Polaris, 59.58.
American Track Truck Pro Mod 650 Class: 1) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris, 48.42; 2) Travis Kaurala, Alston, MI., Ski-Doo, 48.93; 3) Luke Maher, Hastings, MN., 209 yards.
Patriot Towing Spirit Class: 1) Jesse Poksyzk, Friendship, WI., Ski-Doo, 52.71; 2) Josh Bramble, Toivola, MI., Ski-Doo, 57.38. 3) Mathew Kerstner, White Pine, MI., Polaris, 209 yards.
Jam’s Service Pro Open Stock Class: 1) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris, 47.82; 2) Jacob Ketola, L’Anse, MI., Ski-Doo, 48.81; 3) Dave Dishaw, Ontonagon, MI., Ski-Doo, 50.64.
M & M Powersports Pro Stock 850 Class: 1) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris, 47.20; 2) Jordan Stank, Muskego, WI., Polaris, 53.27; 3) Travis Kaurala, Alston, MI., Ski-Doo, 53.75.
Valley View Quarry/Great Lakes Minerals Pro Stock 700 Class: 1) Roger Strack, Trimountain, MI., Polaris, 48.41; 2) Jesse Poksyzk, Friendship, WI., Ski-Doo, 209 yards; 3) Wyatt McIntryre, Greenland, MI., Polaris, 80 yards.
Dynamite Towing Pro Stock 650 Class: 1) Kaiden Kaurala, Alston, MI., Ski-Doo, 54.74; 2) Roger Strack, Trimountain, MI., Polaris, 57.41.
Premium Spray Foam and Coatings FASTEST Time: 1) Jordan Stank, Muskego, WI., Polaris, 45.40, Pro Mod King of the Hill Shootout. 2) Jimmy Marietta, Hubbell, MI., Polaris, 45.47, Pro Mod King of the Hill Shootout. 3) Kaiden Kaurala, Alston, MI., Ski-Doo, 46.03, Pro Mod King of the Hill Shootout.
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