Pro Quads, Anaheim, CA 2004
- Updated: January 10, 2004
Keith Little tipped of 2004 with a big win and upset the Honda vs Suzuki factory battle while doing so.
Formula USA Pro Quad Series
Anaheim, CA
Jan 10, 2004
For the first time in over 15 years, factory-backed ATV racing professionals lined up against each other on the starting line of a major ATV race. In the yellow corner, Doug Gust, riding for America Suzuki Motor Corp. In the red corner, Tim Farr, representing America Honda Motor Corp. Their mission? Win and while doing so demonstrate that the brand they ride is what potential new buyers should ride as well.
The stage was set as Gust (Suzuki/Yoshimura) and Farr (Honda/Baldwin/DG) both won their heat races. They would later line up side by side for the main event. Neither Team Honda’s Tim Farr nor Team Suzuki’s Doug Gust won the season opener at Edison Field in Anaheim, CA. Instead it was Lone Star Racing/IB Racing’s privateer, Keith Little, the “Alabama Slama” himself who stole the show on his new blue Yamaha YFZ.
Farr and his new Honda looked like a million bucks.
’03 Pro Quads champion, Dana Creech broke a spindle in his qualifier. Creech could only salvage a mid pack overall, but as always kept his friendly personality throughout the night.
Roy Jensen, Clear Channel/Formula USA organizer, spoke at the rider’s meeting. Jensen said the sport of ATV racing is rapidly expanding and assured riders that they were just as important as the fan favorite Monster Trucks were.
Farr pulled the holeshot with Little, Gust and Josh Fredericks in tow. As laps progressed on the somewhat half-hearted track layout, Gust rode aggressively and pressured Little for second. On one occasion, much to the delight of the 60,000 plus fans cheering on, he even landed on Little and pulled along side of him. This seemed to only riyal Little as he stepped up the pace hard in the second half of the short race and passed Farr for the lead. Meanwhile Gust did the same a lap later. The three gave chase to the checkers with none settling on giving an inch.
While Little, Gust and Farr battled for valuable southern California podium real estate, Ellis and his new white Alba Action Yamaha YFZ was on the gas and moving through the pack. Ellis passed three riders and set his sites on Farr’s #4 target but time ran out. He would eventually have to settle for fourth, while Josh Fredericks finished a respectable fifth overall.
Gust was on the gas all night, finishing second for the night. He also won the Weekend Warrior Dash for Cash.
Farr and Little battle for the lead through turn one.
Factory ATV racing is a alive and well. Anaheim’s Pro Quad event marked the first Honda vs Suzuki battle of the season. Here, Farr studies Gust’s lines in practice.
“I’m really happy with this Yamaha”, said Little about his new ride. “It not only out runs my Lone Star CRF but out handles it as well”. “No doubt, we’ve got some dialing in to do in order to get this thing ready. We’re not quite where we need to be as far as set up goes”, said Farr from the garage area of his new spotless white Renegade hauler.
1. Keith Little (Yam)
2. Doug Gust (Suz)
3. Tim Farr (Hon)
4. Kory Ellis (Yam)
5. Josh Fredericks (Yam)
6. Jason Dunkelberger (Yam)
7. Jeremy Schell (Kaw)
8. Dustin Nelson (Yam)
