Braun dominates hill climb again

Aug 29, 2023

Staff photo by Fritz BuschJason Braun of Sleepy Eye races up the hill in the Master’s Class at the New Ulm Flying Dutchmen Club Hill Climb Sunday. The defending national hill climb champion in his class, he was leading again Sunday.

NEW ULM — Jason Braun of Sleepy Eye raced up the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club hill Sunday, shifting his weight to the right while airborne near the top Sunday.

Riding a Kawasaki Kx500 motorcycle with an aluminum frame up the 210 foot hill in several seconds, he tried to stay on the hill as best he could. He admitted the hill climb could be a bit tricky near the top.

“I leaned to the right to trying and straighten out. There’s a pretty big kicker over the top where you can get kicked. I wiped out there a couple years ago, going over the (motorcycle) bars once. It hurts,” Braun said.

On Saturday, Braun, 45, won the 600, Masters, Fastest Time of the Day and King of the Hill at the Mankato Motorcycle Club Hill Climb. He won $50 for his efforts Saturday.

Braun is battling Jason Leven of Mankato and A. J. Engnes of Beldenville, Wi. for the Minnesota District 23 hill climb points lead. In addition, Braun has five Masters (40 plus) and two 600 class District 23 wins this year.

Staff photo by Fritz BuschJared Gitter of New Ulm gets airborne at the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club Hill Climb Saturday.

“It’s really close but it’s fun,” said Braun.

The only hill climb left this year is Hixton, Wi. Sept. 14.

Last April, he won the Masters Class at the 2023 AMA (American Motorcycle Association) National Hill Climb in Monson, MA. A video of his winning ride in the event with 400 riders can be seen on Facebook.

“That hill is way bigger than this (Flying Dutchmen hill),” said Braun.

Last year, he suffered a groin injury at a Mankato hill climb.

“I don’t really know what happened, but I was so sore after that, I couldn’t kick start my bike for a while. It took a long time to heal,” Braun said.

He may be good enough with five national hill climb titles, but Braun said he doesn’t plan to hill climb professionally because it’s too expensive.

“It’s about adrenaline, racing up the hill. Hill climbing can be tricky, trying to find the right track and gear,” Braun said after winning the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club Hill Climb last year.

He has suffered broken legs twice and a broken collar bone in hill climbs.

Area hill climb class leaders: Micro mini 3. Bennett Braulick, Sleepy Eye. 4. Everett Gitter, New Ulm. 5. Hudson Mack, New Ulm. 9. Raymond Schwab, New Ulm. 10. Jacob Howk, New Ulm. Mini Jr. 4. Easton Mack, New Ulm. 6. Jackson Engel, Lake Crystal. 7. Everett Gitter, New Ulm. 8. Hudson Mack, New Ulm. 9. Bennett Braulick, Sleepy Eye. 11. Kaden McMonagle, Lake Crystal. 12. Kenny Howk, New Ulm. Mini Jr. 6. Easton Mack, New Ulm. 8. Jackson Engel, Lake Crystal. 9. Kaden McMonagle, Lake Crystal. Super Mini 7. Easton Mack, New Ulm. 8. Jackson Engel, Lake Crystal. 9. Mackson McMonagle, Lake Crystal. 10. Camerson Mack, New Ulm. Mini Sr. 9. Jackson McMonagle, Lake Crystal. 125cc 8. Jackson McMonagle, Lake Crystal. 9. Camerson Mack, New Ulm. 11. Mike Goodell, Nicollet. 200 2. Camerson Mack, New Ulm. 250cc 8. Kaden Braun, Sleepy Eye. 600 3. Jason Braun, Sleepy Eye. Open 2. Jared Gitter, New Ulm. 11. Brent Engel, Lake Crystal. Master Jason Braun, Sleepy Eye. 12. Chad Mack, New Ulm. 13. Brent Engel, Lake Crystal. Vet 2. Mike Goodell, Nicollet. 5. Dan McMurlyn, Lake Crystal. 2 stroke 3. Jared Gitter, New Ulm. 14. Everett Gitter, New Ulm. 15, Kaden McMonagle, Lake Crystal. Open stock 450cc plus 1. Jared Gitter, New Ulm. King of the Hill Open Jared Gitter, New Ulm. 600 Jason Braun, Sleepy Eye.

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