Pro Quads, Houston, TX 2005
- Updated: January 8, 2005
Formula USA Pro Quad Stadium Series
Reliant Stadium
Houston, TX
Jan 8, 2005
photos and story by: Kory Burleson
Natalie atop the podium to start 2005. In his interview he said the new Fox Air Shocks “will be revolutionizing the sport.”
Round one of the Pro Quad Stadium series was held in Houston’s Reliant Stadium. Clear Channel event promoters set out to make this year’s tracks more challenging for the riders. One section that seemed to be especially challenging at first round of the series in Houston was the whoops section. When entering this section, the first couple of whoops were elevated upwards, creating somewhat of a small jump. This left the riders landing right in the middle of some deep whoops. During practice, several riders were having difficulty with the section and would end up wrecking or stalling out. Before practice was over, track maintenance crews flattened out the tops of the whoops and pushed that dirt into the valleys — leaving the section easier to navigate. While some rejoiced, others knew it would even out the playing field. “The whoops were going to separate the riders”, said last year’s series top five finisher Skyler Stewart. Last year’s Pro Quad series champ Tim Farr also commented, “I liked it better before they changed it.” Either way, the riders were ready to showcase their abilities before the 50,000 plus fans.
Farr and Ellis in Heat 1. Soon after this shot the two got a little too close. Ellis ended up crashing. He recovered and ended up with a top five for the night.
Heat 1
After 20 competitors qualified for the event, they were split up into two separate heats. The first heat saw Honda’s Tim Farr (Honda/Baldwin/White Bros.) and Kory Ellis (Yamaha/ ALBA/Fox) rounding the first turn in the lead after the short start. Unfortunately, the two would collide leaving the outside positioned Ellis to dismount. The riders were called back to the line for a restart. Ellis would shake off the pain and return to the starting line as the crowd cheered them on. After the restart, Farr again pulled the holeshot followed by Suzuki’s Jeremy Lawson (Suzuki/TAG Metals/Four). They would quickly be passed through the first option section of the track by Keith Little (Lonestar/Sparks/DG) who took the, what seemed to be faster, outside line. Throughout the six-lap heat it was evident that Farr did not want to settle for second. He seemed to be attached to Little’s back tires and tried every possible line to get around, but was unable to do so. The top three of the heat were Little, Farr, and Sage Baker (ALBA/DFR/ITP).
Jeremy Lawson, the lone Suzuki rider of the night, had a good start in the first heat race. He would eventually fall to 4th in the heat behind Sage Baker.
This is how it was in almost every corner after the restart of the first heat. Little could not shake Farr, but also didn’t make a mistake for Farr to capitalize on.
Natalie was high-flying in Houston.
Heat 2
The second 10-rider heat didn’t quite have the same battle for the lead as the first. John Natalie Jr. (East Coast ATV/Fox Shocks/Shift) was quickest around the first turn on his new Honda 450R. He wasted no time putting a sizable lead on the rest of the competition and led from the green light to the checkered flag. Holding on to second and putting in six solid laps was the #743 quad of Brock Lyons. Lyons was able to hold off Skyler Stewart (Lonestar/Laker Custom/Skar Industries), who took the third position.
This is the view the competition had of #13, John Natalie all night.
Brock Lyons held his ground in Heat 2. He took second in his heat, leaving him with a great position for the main. A crash would end his chances in the main, though.
All the Marbles
With very little time to rest after the second heat, the twenty quads were all brought back out onto the floor for the main event. It would be a 12-lap race, winner-take-all format. When asked what the key to the race was going to be, LSR’s Keith Little quickly replied, “the holeshot, just as it has been all day.” When the light turned from red to green, the twenty four-strokes rumbled off the line. After the first turn it was John Natalie, who emerged as the leader taking the inside option, followed by Brock Lyons. Closely behind, and opting for the outside lane, was Keith Little followed by Tim Farr. Lyons would soon crash in the whoops, and put himself out of contention for the race.
Neither one of these guys were about to let up.
“Ironman” Natalie prepares for battle.
Farr knew if he wanted to have a shot at Natalie, he would have to quickly get around Little. Before the end of the first lap, Farr was able to steal Little’s position in the rhythm section. By the second lap, Farr had caught up to Natalie and was ready to make a move. They came over the finish line jump tied and Farr actually had a slight lead in the rhythm section. It only lasted for a moment, as Natalie took the lead back coming out of the next corner. After several laps, Natalie and Farr opened a gap on the rest of the field.
Back in third, Little had quite a battle with Johnny Hale (JH Racing/Sparks/AC). Hale was busy putting the pressure on Little, but was never able to make the pass. Kory Ellis had a slight mishap and was forced off the track in the beginning of the race. He quickly found his way back onto the track and battled his way up to 5th place. Hale ended up in 4th while Little pulled ahead of him in 3rd. Passing lapped traffic would be critical in this race, as it occurred early. Natalie proved that no lapper was going to get in his way slow him down, though. Farr held tight through most of the race, but was unable to ever make another move on Natalie. Farr ended in second as Natalie rode a mistake-free-race to take the checkers and continue his impressive win streak.
#72 Skyler Stewart is a regular at the Pro Quad Stadium Series. On the gas on his way to a third in Heat 2.
Darrell Patton was still trying to get used to his new Honda. He was riding hurt from a wreck the night before, but that didn’t stop him from riding hard.
Top five; Natalie, Farr Little, Hale and Ellis celebrate in front of a full house in Houston.
