Pro Quads, San Diego, CA 2005
- Updated: January 22, 2005
Formula USA Pro Quad Stadium Series
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, CA
Jan 22, 2005
Photos by Julie Farr
29 riders made their way to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego California. Pre event qualifiers narrowed riders into two heats. Round three’s track was very similar to an outdoor motocross track and included large triples, doubles, and a challenging whoop section.
The MX style whoop section provided fans with plenty of excitement, especially in the early heat races. There were several near crashes as riders tried to blitz through the tricky section with a little too much speed. In heat one, five-time Pro Quad champion, Tim Farr demonstrated how to get through the course the quickest by disposing of rival factory backed competitors Jeremiah Jones (Suzuki) and Kory Ellis (Yamaha).
In heat two, the man of the night, John Natalie held off advances from Suzuki’s “Digger” Doug Gust and took the win and the fastest qualifier time with him to the front inside position for the main event.
A who’s-who short list of pro racers grace the front row of round three. Right to left is Natalie, Farr, Gust, Jones, Little and Ellis
Main
Four rows of quads lined up for the main attraction of the night. All the stars of the Pro Quad series (Natalie, Farr, Gust, Jones, Ellis and Little) earned a place on row number one. All the ingredients were set for a legendary battle. Natalie had other plans however. Thanks to the talented and aggressive riding style of “Ironman” John Natalie (and his picture perfect inside row holeshot), round three of ATV racing’s Supercross Series, didn’t treat spectators to any thrilling passes for the win. Natalie dominated from start to end in an almost unfair advantage. As the flag waved, Natalie left the hole perfectly. Lone Star Racing’s Keith Little, who rode with the flu and stitches in his forehead, refused to back off. But it was no use, Natalie’s inside position would be too hard for Little to overcome, so he tucked in for second. Farr and Ellis followed.
Natalie had the whoop section down. Here he skims across like they’re just another straight stretch.
Doug Gust is no slouch through the whoop either. In fact whoops are said to be his specialty. Here he chases Natalie in heat race action.
Farr wants a sixth Pro Quad championship. He says whoever wins it this year will have definitely earned it.
It was lap three when Farr made his move past Little. By then Natalie was gone, but Farr continued to charge hard. He knew he might still have a slight opportunity for the win since it was only a matter of time before Natalie would have to make his way past lapped traffic. While Farr focused on catching the distant number 13 of Natalie, Ellis held off advances from the two fastest Suzuki riders on the planet, Jones and Gust. Ellis had his hands full to say the least. He rode all but the first two laps without rear brakes.
It wasn’t a rear brake problem that caused Ellis to fade from fourth to sixth however. As he passed a downed rider on the outside, Gust and Jones stayed on the gas and slipped through on the extreme inside of the turn. Since the section was under the yellow caution flag, there was rumor that team Suzuki might be docked. Officials decided that Jones and Gust simply took the safer route past the downed rider, while doing this they passed Ellis while he took the outside route. “In the riders meeting when I explain the yellow flag I mention there is no passing under yellow! But I also explained that you go to the inside of the corner as long as it is safe to hold your position. Our official was right there in the corner and agreed with me on the decision”, said Formula USA’s race coordinator, Jimmy White. Nonetheless, Gust and Jones were on the move and quickly gaining on a podium finish.
Ellis had some set up problems and lost his rear brakes. He still managed third in the points.
Speaking of podium, Farr was correct, Natalie would indeed have to slow for a few lappers. This congested traffic allowed him to close the gap slightly, but every time Natalie disposed of a lapper he once again pulled further ahead. “There’s no doubt he was faster than me tonight”, said Farr. “John is going to be really tough this year. He’s got a lot of talent and he doesn’t make mistakes.”
While Farr rode safely in second, third place was wide open. Eventually the Suzuki train of Jones and Gust came off the tracks when the two teammates collided while trying to take Little’s three spot. Jones stalled during the tangle long enough for Ellis to slip past. In the end, East Coast ATV’s John Natalie took his second win of the short series. To sum it up Natalie now maintains the point’s lead. Farr finished runner up on his 450R. Little proved he can ride fast even when he is sick. Gust took fourth respectively. Ellis finished top five without brakes. And the point’s battle perfectly reflects just how exciting this season’s Formula USA’s Pro Quad Stadium Series truly is!
Your Sand Diego Podium; Natalie Farr and Little.
Current Points:
1. John Natalie 349
2. Tim Farr 336
3. Kory Ellis 333
4. Skyler Stewart 313
5. Sage Baker 307
