Glen Helen QuadCross 07-22-07
- Updated: July 22, 2007
ITP Quadcross
Glen Helen Raceway
Devore, California
July 22, 2007
Story and Photos By: Lisa G
Jeremy Schell leading the Pro class just before “Kellis” made the pass.
For the sixth round of the ITP QuadCross Series it was back to QuadCross’ hometown venue, world-famous Glen Helen Raceway. With the Bike Nationals coming up we were all hoping to see some changes, but only minor adjustments were made this time out. However, track manager Lori Bryant informed us that there would be many changes coming in the near future however.
As for the outing, sixteen pro riders lined up on the gate. Current points leader Kory Ellis got the fifth gate pick for the first moto. Epic Racing’s Jeremy Schell, still on his Honda, lined up on the inside of Ellis. The 15 second board was up and shortly after the gate fell to the ground the number 14 of Jeremy Schell claimed moto one’s holeshot. After the second corner it was Schell, John Shafe in the second place position, rookie Pro Dean Pierce in third, and Kory Ellis running in the fourth position.
Jeremy Schell out front off the gate, with Kory Ellis struggling in the back.
Kory Ellis is usually the one leading the pack around the first corner, so this was a very different view for him as far as QuadCross events go. Meanwhile, Jeremy Schell was showing some real talent out front as he maintained the lead for more than half the race.
John Shafe turned some heads this weekend. He’s seen here running in the second place position.
Nonetheless, in typical Ellis style, with only a few laps to go Kory was able to take the lead after working his way through the pack. Once he made his was around Jeremy Schell it was clear who was the fastest guy of the weekend as he quickly began to put distance between himself and the other riders.
Young up and comer, Dustin Terry impressed many by following Ellis as he worked his way through the pack. Both got past Schell. Unfortunately for Terry he stalled it with half a lap to go and was unable to get it started in time to reap the rewards of his impressive ride.
Kory Ellis went on to take the well disserved first moto win with Jeremy Schell grabbing the second place position and John Shafe in the three spot.
Moto 2 — Would a kill switch cost Ellis the Overall?
Here’s the moment Kory thought he was about to end up on his head.
The second moto start was almost a repeat of the first. Jeremy “The SoCal Hick” Schell launched his 450R out of the box first once again, but this time out Kory Ellis found himself even further back in the pack than he did in the first moto. By the end of the second lap Schell was leading the pack with John Shafe running in the second place position, Josh Frederick rode in the third spot while Ellis worked himself into fourth.
Ellis almost lost the race when he went over a small hill on the track. On the downside of the hill he had his Suzuki up on two wheels but managed to save it somehow and continued. Ellis commented “I thought I was going to be on my head for a second there. I had a few close calls, but I thought for sure I was going to be done after that corner.”
Ellis continued to charge and made his way through the pack to take over the first place position from fading Jeremy Schell. Soon after, Josh Frederick also managed to make his way around Schell. Ellis and Frederick kept the same distance from each other for almost the rest of the race, until about five corners from the finish line when Ellis’s kill switch came out allowing Frederick to make the pass for the lead.
Hicks don’t usually have nice things, but the So Cal Hick sure does. Here Jeremy shows off his new trailer graphics which include this sharp photo of him on his new Epic Racing Can-Am DS450.
Josh Frederick rounds em all, slides it into home plate and takes the second moto win and second overall for the day.
For Ellis’s sake he was able to figure out what had caused his Suzuki to quit in time to still win the overall. He put his kill switch back in, fired it up and finish in the second place position. With his impressive moto two win, Josh Frederick finished in second for the day. Jeremy Schell rounded out the top three. Ellis now holds on to a 26 point lead for the series.
Interestingly enough, Ellis only practiced once since the last QuadCross, “I’ve been swamped with a ton of stuff going on all at once and haven’t been able to get as much seat time as I would like, but thanks to American Suzuki, Yoshimura, Rockstar, ITP, Hinson, Fox Shocks, Fox Racing, and Quad Tech I was able to win anyway.” Maybe all the pros should try not practicing — it seems to be working for Kory.
Kory Ellis was still able to take the overall win with a 1-2 finish and a check for $1350.
