Steel City ATV MX National Recap

By Dave Porter
Photos by Susan Guadagnino of go-go-photo.com

Sorry about not having a story for the Walnut, IL National but things were crazy busy for me. But hey no excuses, I punked you guys and I apologize. Anywho, with Susan’s help I’ll try to make it up to you with this photo enhanced recap from legendary Steel City.

Josh Creamer
Yep, Josh tops my list of observations because I’m just flat out blown away with how well he rode. At the beginning of the season I knew Josh was going to be fast, but I had know idea he was going to take it to the level that he’s at now. I’ve watched a lot of Pro motos over the years. I’m telling you straight up, I’ve never seen anyone own a Pro moto like Josh did at Steel City. I didn’t think he had a shot after the first moto start. Boy did he prove me and anyone else that doubted him wrong. Josh started roughly 13th, yet won by over 8seconds! He went through the pack as if the best ATV riders in the world were C class first-timers. I’m not kidding it was amazing! And get this, he won the second moto with ease as well, despite a flat rear tire. He said it was a challenge to try to compensate for the flat through the turns and in the air. I’ve seen riders pull to a stop because of a flat, but not Josh, with a little help from Tireballs, he wins his moto. Amazing!
I’ve mentioned that Josh and I talk all the time between races. I’ve never seen him more focused mentally since I’ve known him. He’s hungry and wanting a National Championship. Guys the #9 is rolling, and right now he’s rolling right through the Pro class.

---

John Natalie, Thomas Brown and Josh Upperman
Going into the season I don’t think anyone thought that John, Thomas or Josh would be consistent front runners, but at the half way point of the series they’ve proved to be capable of winning every time they pull to the gate. At Steel City they put on a show for the lead in the first moto that gave me chills.

After Upperman’s DNF, Natalie and Brown battled back and forth lap after lap. It was a classic duel of old versus young and reminded me of the moment Wimmer showed he’s for real when he passed Gust at Mt Morris.

All I can say is dont count these three out the rest of the year.

 

 

 

---

Nick Denoble
Nick was not a guy I thought I’d be writing about, but I have to say his first moto ride was incredible. He looked supper fast holding on to a fifth in the first moto, and the second moto was good for Nick also. He held his ground very well and finished with 5-7 moto scores for a respectable 5th overall.

Nick mainly gets my nod because he didn’t roll over when steam-rollers Creamer, Brown and Wimmer challenged him. I hope Nick keeps working hard and puts together more rides like he did in PA.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Tim Farr’s Crash
Last on my list of observations is the horrific crash in the “Pro 30” class, I say Pro 30 instead of +30 because these guys were as serious about getting a good start as the Pro riders. In the process the first turn looked like a yard sale. When the dust settled and the carnage slowed, Tim Farr was seriously hurt.

Some of you young guys might not have no clue who Timmy Farr is. Let me tell you, Tim has paved the way for our sport like legends Jimmy White and Gary Denton did behind him. Tim dethroned Gary’s 8-championships and went on to win almost as many. He and mechanic Mark Baldwin grew Baldwin Motorsports from the ground up. Tim, who also holds a degree in mechanical engineering, was often called upon by the manufactures when it was time for them to introduce their race-worthy ATVs like the 400EX, TRX450R and most recently KTM’s ATV program.

Back to Tim’s horrific crash. I looked over and saw him standing there in full gear watching practice. I’ve known Timmy forever so when I saw him suited up like the good old days I just had to go over, shake his hand and talk with him. He said he was anxious to ride because he’s always wanted to ride the Steel City track but since it was only recently introduced to quads he never got a chance until now.

There was an opening in his FRE (Farr Racing Enterprises) Cross Country schedule, so he showed up to ride the Open A class and the 30+A class. I gave him the thumbs up and that was the last time I talked to him.

Ironically he finished second in the Open A class behind the guy that rides to all the nationals with me, Preston Young, who went 1-1 for an impressive overall victory. Well in the 30+A class Timmy rode by me on the way to the gate, revved his KTM to get my attention and waved at me. I smiled, happy to see him making his way to yet another starting gate, and gave him a big thumbs up.

I thought what the hell I’ll go watch his moto. After all, how could I miss the chance of witnessing that smooth and precise riding style that won him so many races over the last 20 years.

Well, it wasn’t the site I wanted to see. Tim looked like a bull rider trying to ride out the last few seconds of a great bull ride. As you’ll see in Susan’s amazing photos of the crash, Tim nearly rode out of the mess, but had to get off when the impact from several quads sent him flying. I could watch a rider ride his front bumper all day, but the part that I saw afterward is what I don’t want to see ever again.

Tim did get to ride legendary Steel City, but I’m sure he would have passed if he knew his day would end like this. His injuries include a badly dislocated wrist and three breaks in his humerus bone (the one between your shoulder and elbow). He’s had and will continue to have multiple surgeries on his right arm. He’s currently in a cast from shoulder to hand and will be for quite some time.

I’ve looked at the photos. Some are blaming #174 Aron Reisig for this, but I disagree. The entire field looks as though they started from different directions. It was complete chaos! Check the photos for yourself and look at all the wrecks going on in the background. Yes Aron and Tim were rubbing nerf bars a little but I don’t think this is what sent either of them to the ground. I think the #11 KTM of Josh Strominsk
i got shoved into the back of Aron and Tim and this is what started the unfortunate crash that Tim’s paying the price for. Check out the photos. Tim would have made one heck of a Pro Bull Rider.. I can’t believe he hung on for as long as he did.

I wish him a full recovery and hope to shake that right hand of his again soon.

Check out Tim Farr’s Steel City Crash Here

Tags:

Comments

comments