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An Interview with MotoX Nutrition WORCS Pro Tim
“TPQ” Shelman
Tim "TPQ" Shelman |
Hometown: Bonney Lake, WA
Age: 37
Bike: Honda TRX450R
Mechanic: Kenny Sanford w/ S & S Motorsports
Stats: 2007 WORCS Pro-Earned # 8 Plate
2006 WORCS Pro-Earned #11 Plate
Nickname: “TPQ” for “Timmy Pro Quad”
What's your favorite track to ride: I like Taft,
Ca. because of the big jumps and great WORCS-X
section.
Occupation: I own a construction company with my
wife Maria.
Favorite Food: Anything, as long as it is in a
big pile in front of me.
Other Hobbies: Coach my daughter’s soccer teams,
socialize and travel.
So Tim, what got you into racing ATV's?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: A friend
raced dirt bikes and said I should give it a
try.
You've developed
pretty big fan base, what's that mean to you at
the races?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: It’s almost a reverse;
I am a fan of the great people at the track,
from the new little 50 riders to their parents
and on to the factory guys and girls. The
dedication is the same and still, or at one
time, they have fun in this sport. I want to
show that we are all equal and having fun is
what it is all about. My main goal is to try to
help open doors for the kids coming up and make
more opportunities from sponsors and locations
to ride.
Where did "TPQ" come
from?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: A friend of mine Scott
D. said I am always introducing myself to every
one no matter where I am. So when the question
is asked “What’s your name?” my response would
be “Tim Shelman, Pro Quad rider.” Hence
the Timmy Pro Quad. My motto is “You don’t know
who you don’t know.” There are way too many
interesting people in this world not to say
“Hi”.
Tim "TPQ" Shelman |
What do you think of
the factory presence at WORCS these days?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: The factories are
finally getting the big picture. The talent in
the WORCS series is tremendous and the exposure
is growing at an alarming rate. I am tickled
that they are here and I can’t wait to see who
is next.
Any chance we'll see
you on a factory ride next year?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: I scare all the
factories because no one can build anything that
can stay together for more then 1 race. Just
kidding! I am not going after any factory rides
because I am keeping myself in check. The bikes
and the money would be great and would
definitely change my program, but I am afraid I
would take myself too seriously and not be the
person I am now.
What made you choose
to follow the WORCS series and what other types
of events do you race?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: 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.
Your family is always
right there with you, what's that like?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: 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?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: 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.
Tim "TPQ" Shelman |
Your in a tie for 7th
in the points right now with an early season
podium, how is the season going this year?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: 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.
You've added some new
sponsors this year, how has this helped your
program?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: 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.
Anything you'd like to
add?
Tim "TPQ" Shelman: 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, Holz Racing
Products, Tyre Johnnies, GPR Stabilizers, Dead
Bat Gear, WORCS, ATV Insider, Mark Elliot
Photography.
To contact Tim about his race series, racing
school or sponsorships please e-mail:
tpqunlimited@comcast.net or contact MotoX
Nutrition (360) 335-1790
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