Round 1
Anaheim, CA - Jan 10, 2004
The start of the racing season kicked off with the Clear Channel Pro Quad Stadium Series in Anaheim, CA at the Edison Field facility. It's been over 15 years since a factory-backed ATV Pro racer has had the chance to do battle on a motocross track, and in Anaheim, we had two of the best ready to throw down and do battle. Team Suzuki's Doug Gust, and Team Honda's Tim Farr would both be representing their respective companies, and both were looking to make a statement early in this season opener.
Both Gust and Farr won their heat races, and lined up alongside each other in the main event. Farr grabbed the hole shot and led for half the race. Behind him, Gust and Keith Little (aboard his Lone Star Racing/IB Racing YFZ450) battled back and forth for the second place position.
Little pressed Farr hard in the second half of the race, and eventually found a clean line and made a pass stick. Soon afterwards, Gust also found a line past Farr and slipped under him to take over second. The three remained in their tight formation until the checkers flew, handing Little the big win of the night.
1. Keith Little (Yam) 2. Doug Gust (Suz) 3. Tim Farr (Hon)
Round 2
Phoenix, AZ - January 24, 2004
In only their second ride together, Farr and the new Honda TRX450R took their place on top of the podium in round two of the Clear Channel Pro Quad Stadium Series in Phoenix. Four-time Clear Channel Stadium Champion, Farr won his pre-qualifier to secure his place in the main event. He then went on to the heat race that included Round 1 winner, Keith Little, and last year's Champion, Dana Creech. Farr and another rider tangled off the line, which left Farr in seventh place coming out of the first turn. Creech grabbed the lead followed by Little. Farr quickly regrouped and moved all the way to third place by lap two and second place by lap three. Farr pressured Creech for the remainder of the heat race, but was unable to find a way around him before time ran out. Kory Ellis won the second heat race aboard a Yamaha YZ450F.
Tensions were high in front on the near sell-out crowd in the Bank One Ball Park for the main event. When the light turned green, Ellis grabbed the hole shot followed by Creech and Farr. Farr quickly moved into second place by passing Creech on a sweeper turn going into a large rhythm section. Farr then set his sights on Ellis. Farr pressured Ellis on every corner and every jump. Around the halfway point, Farr pulled up to Ellis' side on a jump and the two ran side-by-side for the next three corners until Farr finally edged out Ellis going into the rhythm section. Farr began to pull away a bit until a lapped rider nearly forced him to a stop. This was just enough to allow Ellis to get back into position. The two put on another heart-stopping show of side-by-side racing until the checkered flag. The crowd roared in appreciation as Farr took the win followed by Ellis and Creech.
"Kory rode an incredible race," said an excited Farr following the race. "He surely made me earn the win! I cannot say enough about how my Honda TRX450R ran tonight. It is an incredible machine. I would like to thank all of my sponsors who have worked extra hard the past few weeks to get us here tonight." Farr's win was enough to earn him the series points lead with two rounds remaining.
1. Tim Farr 2. Kory Ellis 3. Dana Creech