San Diego, Qualcomm Park
Clear Channel Entertainment
Pro-Quads 2003, Round 5
Round 5 was the clincher. Dana had to be a top four finisher if Kory won his heat to secure the championship. He decided to play it smart. I remember two years ago in San Diego at the final. I stood talking to Tim Farr and his then fiance Julie (now they are happily Mr & Mrs). As we watched practice with about 20 local riders and 8 or 10 regulars of the circuit, I (being the rookie pseudo journalist I was/am) asked what was his strategy for the final race. Tim knew he only needed to finish in the top 5 or so riders in both his heat and the main to secure the championship. He told me then that he just wanted to survive and not get taken out by a rider that was trying to prove something. At the time, I thought to myself, 'But you are TIM FARR, you could lap every rider out here!' Now I understand. It's not about winning every race. It's about consistency and being a smart rider. 'Ahhhh Grasshopper, you have much to learn.' Last year, at the FormulaUSA (PACE or CCE Stadium series, or whatever name they give it - it's still the same series with a different label), Tim and Kory were the main guys to compete with. There was no question in our minds that either one of these Pros could walk away with the series. But they didn't. Both riders are awesome and both are smart riders. They both went for consistent finishes and it showed in the finals. Dana had a taste of success with a win in the 2002 series, and a podium finish in all but one race. Tim hit the podium every time in 2002. We did miss having Tim, and of course Julie, at this series. Evidently Tim had a fall and had dislocated his collarbone from his sternum. Julie says that if he had broken his collar bone it would have healed quicker. Tim is running a big old heavy #1 for the GNC this year, and his focus has been on being up for the challenge in Macon on March 14. 'Grasshopper, your lesson is before you.'
Jim White, Dan Allen, Joel Grover, Stephanie and Kerry were the best this year. I really appreciate all that they have tried to accomplish in the face of hard odds in some cases. ATV riders all know that we are not always considered a 'Main' draw for the Big Show. I know that there must be some interested people, simply by the amount of Trader Cards that Dana signs at a Monster Truck show. Last weekend, he signed over 800 of them. Thanks very much to the FormulaUSA staff for doing their best to make it happen for all of us.
Dana and Keith were in the same qualifier. Dana won it, but the qualifier doesn't hold any points; it is simply to decide who can race and who is going to watch. I know we have been in the 'Worried we came all this way and are going to watch' crowd on many occasions.
At the finals there were two heats. Dana was in what appeared to be the seriously stacked heat (I'm sure it was a coincidence) with Keith Little, Jeremy Schell, Josh Frederick, and Daryl Rath to name a few. Dana took to heart the lesson learned from the Master to race smart and survive. The track in San Diego was tight to say the least and soft. It had rained all week in So Cal. Even when the track operators came out and cleaned up the track after the Monsters, the Quads were still using one lane, so passing was not a major option; unless the rider in front of you choked, you were stuck where you started for the most part. You could risk a lot and get around, but the risk was pretty high. In his heat, Dana pulled a second in the first corner just behind Keith Little. Jeremy Schell was close behind Dana and Josh Fredrick was pushing him. The heat finished in pretty much that order with a freight train of riders behind. Dana knew where he had to finish overall with a second in his heat. Top four would be his championship key, if Kory won his heat.
Heat #2 pitted Kory Ellis, Mike Walsh, Greg Stuart and Niclas Granlund in the fast rider seats. Kory pulled the clean view with Mike pulling out all the stops trying to find a way around him. Dan Allen had some bigwigs there wanting to see an exciting race, but the track conditions prevented the excitement that had been evident in other venues. Dan is a good guy and can control a lot of things, but weather conditions are simply beyond his reach just now.
Our Pit crew consisted of Uncle Dave Creech, Cousin Ross, our friend from home Jim Birindelli, Grandpa Jim, Wayne Mooridian, and our Pit-Mates Daryl Rath and family. We pitted next to each other and had a grand time from what I hear!
Main event. The final MAIN EVENT! Keith Little narrowly earned the holeshot with Dana hot on his heals. Dana had decided to stay in position just in case Keith choked. Keith didn't. Dana had to take the outside on the first corner and when he and Keith bumped. Dana had no choice but to go wide and tuck back in behind Keith. The wild ride was not really that wild for most of the race with the near one line track dictating where everyone would be. The big drama came when a lapped rider was stalled and Keith and Dana had to split to get around the rider. As Dana turned to go around the rider, Mike Walsh rammed Dana in the rear, boosting Dana around the rider and slowing Mike enough to let Jeremy Schell smack into him and stall them both (I have a visual picture of a pool table and balls hitting). In the meantime, Kory Ellis had slid around all the drama to gain the three spot. Mike quickly untangled from Jeremy and took off. Jeremy wasn't so lucky. It took him a couple of minutes to start his ride, moving him way down in the pack. In the meantime Daryl Rath and Josh Frederick had hit stride in the four and five spots and were hanging on tight. Dana had decided if Kory got within range to bump him, he was going to let him by rather than take a chance and end up spun out or worse. Kory never closed the distance enough to make that an option. Darrell Patton and Jack Bedner (2,3) and Taylor Moles once again made the main event, through some pretty stiff competition in the qualifiers as well. Both riders had respectable finishes as well. Congrats also go out to Louis Lazenby and Theo Lusardi (2),Tony Munio, and John Angel and Robert McClure who also made the main event. The way I hear it making the main was a major accomplishment at this final race of the series.
Although Keith finished with a win for the day, Dana secured his first Championship as a Pro.
Dana's fans (the huge group) went crazy! Actually it seemed that everyone was pretty happy that he has made the comeback that he did. It has been a eventful last 8 months or so.
Dana wanted to especially thank Wayne from PEP and Mike Walsh - who is building his frames, Tom Darnall from HiPer Technology, Tom Carlson, Quality Body Works, Rob at ShiftMX, Jeremy, Jesse & Dale at RPM, Wayne Hinson, Mike at AC Racing, the Fullbore crew, Aletta at Motion Pro and Braking, Danny at Maxima, Billy Pointer from QuadTech, MD from DVS Shoes, Tom & Mark from TM Designworks, Robert from DID, Mark from LA Sleeve, Tom from Pro-Design, Daryl Rath, Tom from K&N, Doug & Sandy from Rebel Gears, Ken from Pacific Powder Coating, Andrew from Works Connection, Wes Miller, Clarke Plastics, Todd from EVS, Jason from Kicker, Smith Opticals, Jim White from Kenda, Denton Racing and Sheridan Race Products. He says he is the most thankful for the support of his family: his grandparents Jim and Charlotte Creech, Mavis and Dale Cooley, Ray Parker; his parents and his sister, Carli and her boyfriend Jordan Zizza, Dave & Jill, Ross & Morgan. His friends, Mike, Mike, Nick, and everyone else at home also are on his 'Big Thank You list.' He also wants to make sure that all of you that take the time to drop him emails and letters in the postal mail know how much he appreciates your correspondence. He does plan on catching up on his responses this week before he leaves town again.
Dana has dedicated his series in the memory of his good friend, Matt Bartosek. Matt passed in January just before the first race and Dana has sincerely felt the loss of Matt.
Congratulations to all the competitors who made the commitment to this series. It wouldn't have been the same without even one of you and your efforts.
Top Ten Finals for the 2003 Season:
1 Dana Creech
2 Kory Ellis
3 Mike Walsh
4 Keith Little
5 Josh Frederick
6 Greg Stuart
7 Niclas Granlund
8 Darrell Patton
9 Jeremy Schell
10 Taylor Moles
Thanks to Dave Creech for snapping al these photos for us while I was off soaking in the Hawaiian Sun with my cheerleading teams at the Aloha Internationals. Just so you know our Sr Coed Team took 2nd, Jr Coed Team took 1st, Youth Team took 2nd, Dance team took 1st, Girls Stunt team took 3rd and our Coed Partner couple took first. We cleaned up and will go back again next year.
That's it for now.
Play hard and call your Mom,
Mom
|
