OREGONIA, Ohio - Alex Benner, Nate Redmann and Bryan Rusnak all claimed titles in the final round of the 2009 AMA Pro Hillclimb Series Championships during the 60th running of the Dayton Motorcycle Club's Devil's Staircase Hillclimb. The "Staircase" has been the series' final round for many years and is one of the oldest and most prestigious events on the circuit.

The Unlimited Class title came down to the final race as Benner, Phil Libhart and rookie Shawn Farnsworth were all in contention to claim the championship. Benner held only a four point lead over Libhart, with Fansworth six markers back in third going into the final race.

In the end, it was Benner who laid down a 6.865 second ride, which gave him a second-place finish, while Libhart finished fifth and Farnsworth was seventh. The finish was enough to allow Benner to take home the Number 1 plate.

Redmann looked to be in control of the Xtreme Class Championship heading in to the final race with a 13-point lead over Libhart. In his first year riding the Dr. Bob's Racing Factory Yamaha, Redmann finished on the podium in five of the first six rounds, including three victories.

Redmann's fourth place finish on the Devil's Staircase gave up only three points to Libhart's second place finish, and Redmann claimed the championship while Libhart finished second. Rookie Colby McCutcheon finished third in the championship.

The ProSport championship looked to be decided early as rookie Rusnak claimed victory in the first four events of the season. But after a tough sixth round for the rider, the door was left open for 2008 champion Robby DeBusk.

Rusnak had a 10-point advantage over DeBusk heading in to Dayton Motorcycle Club's Devil's Staircase. DeBusk claimed victory in the race, but it wasn't enough, and Rusnak claimed the title with his third place finish. Amanda Campbell claimed third in the championship.

Many of the events this season were preceded by significant rainfall just prior to race day, and the Dayton Motorcycle Club's Devil's Staircase was no exception, with three inches of rain saturating the area just two days before the race. The race promoters worked hard to groom and smooth the hill, however the surface was still covered with thick mud that was hard to stand or walk on. For the bikes the mud increased traction and speed as five riders broke the seven-second barrier

In exhibition racing, Verti-Cross was brought to Oregonia with its side-by-side uphill racing on stretched-out 450's. Teammates Redmann and Anthony DeHart went head-to-head for the win. Redmann got ahead of DeHart and gave him a face-full of Oregonia mud at the top for the victory. Scott Campbell took third.