Interview:
"TPQ" Tim Shelman - WORCS Pro ATV
Racer - Continued
What
made you choose to follow the WORCS series
and what other types of events do you race?
WORCS is the most organized series ever run.
Sean and Pepper Reddish do an outstanding
job with every aspect on putting on a first
class operation. Going beyond that, they make
themselves approachable to anyone. To say
that a promoter is still enjoys the sport
is putting it lightly. Sean has been known
to suit up and ride exhibition during one
of his race weekends even though he’s
been busting his butt keeping everything running
smoothly, I admire that. Second, to have a
race course encompass ALL disciplines of racing
from MX to XC to Enduro-X over a 90 min timed
event is cool beyond explanation. It is a
true test of man (or woman) and machine.
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| ATV
Racing is a family effort for the Shelman's
with his wife Maria always track side
along with his daughter Allie, who also
races in the WORCS series |
Your
family is always right there with you, what's
that like?
I couldn’t have a better family if I tried.
My beautiful wife Maria of 18 years and extremely
talented 12 year old daughter Allie support
me 100% .They also let me know when my highly
inflated ego starts to get the best of me. My
wife works for WORCS to help supplement our
racing habit. Allie keeps me grounded. She reminds
me why we do this.
You
have started promoting your own race series
this year, what can you tell us a little about
that?
Yes, it is ironically called the TPQ 3 .It
mimics the highly successful WORCS series
on a local level. It is a three race series
with bikes on Saturday and quads on Sunday
all being held at the incredible ORV park
named Straddleline in Olympia , Wa . We call
it the warm up for WORCS because our August
2nd and 3rd race is the weekend prior to WORCS
at the same location. It is no surprise to
any one that Maria is the brains behind the
whole thing along with Carol Kell, a successful
local promoter for the past 20 years. WORCS
is a major sponsor of the TPQ 3 and provide
us with the transponder system for lap checking
and results. WORCS members use their own transponders
in our series as well. We are very fortunate
to have many people volunteer their time and
services to make this a finely tuned machine.
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| TPQ's
Famous 2 Page Spread Photo in ATV Insider
from Pismo Dunes |
Timmy
"TPQ" Shelman hammering through
the rocks at Mesquite |
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Moto
X Nutrition's Christian Chambers has
been working with Tim Shelman among
many other WORCS Pro Racers |
You've
added some new sponsors this year, how has
this helped your program?
I am so fortunate with all the help I receive
from my sponsors. I was all out of pocket not
to long ago and struggled to make it to and
finish races, now I can compete on the pro level
as a privateer with many less worries. The quad
racing industry is changing for the better and
their involvement goes hand and hand with the
sport growing. My sponsor list seams to grow
every week, and I am not complaining. I am in
a very good time in my life; I have a beautiful
wife and daughter who back me 110% we have surrounded
ourselves with quality people. I tried to make
it so my sponsors are not only “sponsors”
but I know them on a personal level by contacting
at least once a week just to say thanks.
Your
in a tie for 7th in the points right now with
an early season podium, how is the season
going this year?
I was #2 in the PRO points going into my home
track Pacific Raceways. After a crazy start
I was in 12th when we got to the pro section
when I came across a bottleneck. I shot right
thru an ugly section going around every one
coming out in 3rd. On the MX section my bike
sputtered and died. I kicked on it for 30
min. My first DNF. My mechanic Kenny Sanford
almost vomited. Come to find out it was a
broken wire at the cdi box, a tough thing
to prevent. With that, it put me back to 8th.
In Hollister after a 1st lap rollover, I was
able to salvage a 5th place finish. Next round
is at Straddleline where I pulled my first
main holeshot and led the first 2 laps last
year then put myself deep into the blackberry
bushes. I am excited about the remainder of
the season. After getting on MotoX Nutrition
supplements and having you chasing me around
the pits saying “Here, eat this and
drink this” has been instrumental in
my endurance and strength. I have learned
so much from you on how important taking proper
care of the human body is at the ripe old
age of 38.
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Tim
Shelman taking time to work with the
youth ATV racers on jumping skills |
Anything
you'd like to add?
I give riding classes for all ages and probably
the thing I cover the most is to have fun,
that’s why we do what we do. “Sportsmanship
at all times” is a quote from Sean Reddish
that he gives at riders meetings that everyone
should live by. Don’t be afraid to outreach
a hand and introduce yourself to people, YOU
DON’T KNOW WHO YOU DON’T KNOW.
We are very lucky to be living in the US where
we can enjoy the things we want, don’t
take it for granted. A person’s personality
has a lot to do with who they associate with.
Surround yourself with positive, motivated
people and the sky’s the limit where
it can take you.
Tim
greatly appreciates these 2008 Sponsors:
Maxxis, Fox, Motoworks, O’Neal, Wired
Energy, Rekluse, S &S Motorsports, Hot
Rod Fab, Klim, Scott, Hinshaw’s Honda,
MotoX Nutrition, Team Money Shot, SCR Motosports,
Fullbore Innovations, Bdawgs Plastics, Pro
Armor, Holz Racing Products, Tyre Johnnies,
GPR Stabilizers, Dead Bat Gear, WORCS, ATV
Insider, Mark Elliot Photography.
