BILLINGS – The best riders come to test their skills at the Hill Climbing Capital of the World.
The 101st annual Great American Pro Championship Motorcycle Hill Climb draws riders from around the country and around the world. They attempt to summit what is known as the “Bentonite Nightmare” in the South Hills of Billings.
About 120 riders competed in several categories on the first day of competition at the Billings Motorcycle Club on Friday.
The pro riders started in the afternoon and are expected to run until 11 p.m.
The hill climb started in 1918 and is the oldest and longest-running motorcycle event.
It’s an important tradition for the Billings Motorcycle Club.
“Oh it’s everything,” said Cord Mitchell, Co-promoter for the hill climb. “This is our biggest event. It’s something that has been happening so long that it will continue to happen whether we have a handful of riders or last year we had 200 riders because it was our anniversary year. So it’ll always happen. It’ll be here.”
The riders are back for more on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Billings Motorcycle Club, located at 3630 Old Blue Creek Road.
