A Chat with Tim Farr
Aug.
19, 2004 – The ATVA ITP Grand National Championship Motocross Series
features some of the best riders on the planet. And among the best of the best
is Tim Farr, who has won four GNC championships. Farr caught the attention of
Honda, and he's now Honda's factory rider. We chatted with Farr to learn about
his racing career and to talk about the excitement surrounding factory involvement
once again in ATV racing.
ATVAonline: Tell us about your racing career.
Tim
Farr: My racing career started just as the OEMs were pulling out before,
about 16 years ago. Back then I was only just getting started and just had the
backing of my family, the (Mark) Baldwin family, and Fischer Cycle. I mainly
just raced TT races that were reasonably close to where I lived in Ashtabula,
OH. I did really well locally and then began riding the Nationals in 1989 in
the Pro Four stroke class and went on to win my first National Championship
in that class in 1990.
ATVAonline: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? Are you married?
Farr: I am 31 years old and was born in Ashtabula, Ohio. I now live in Massillon, Ohio, and am married to my wife, Julie. We have been married for about 2 1/2 years and have no children.
ATVAonline: You were a privateer for an awful long time. Is it tough being a privateer?
Farr: It is tough, but it is all that current ATV racers have known for so many years that it has just been the norm. Since there have been no factory sponsorships for so long the aftermarket had to step in and take care of the top riders in the sport. They have basically kept this sport alive for the past 15 years and have done a great job.
ATVAonline: What advantages do factory riders have over privateers
Farr: Factory riders mainly have better support both technically and financially than privateers. These two things mean everything in the racing world.
ATVAonline: What does it mean to you to ride for Honda?
Farr: It is an awesome program and is everything that I have worked for my entire career. What else can I say.
ATVAonline: What advice would you give someone who wants a factory ride.
Farr: I would say to practice and train hard, ride smart, and to keep a good clean image. Factory sponsorships are not solely based on riding abilities. Factories need people who will represent their companies well. This goes for aftermarket sponsorship as well. All sponsors want someone who can give good feedback and help them to build their products and services to better complement their businesses.
ATVAonline: What changes have you seen since the ATVA started sanctioning races?
Farr: The series split (into separate motocross and TT/short track series), and production-based classes. Mostly positive.
ATVAonline: What do you think of the new Pro Production class?
Farr: The competition is incredible! There are about 10 guys who I believe can win on any given day. I think that Pro Production is the best thing that has happened to this sport In the past decade.
ATVAonline: Now that Honda is involved again in ATV racing, and Suzuki, what changes do you expect in the racing for this season? What about the future?
Farr: I think that at least for this year the changes will be subtle, but in the future I think there will be more OEM involvement and the added exposure and revenue involved with racing will make the sport grow extensively. I think that it is historic to see Honda back into ATV racing for many reasons, but mainly I think that most people who remember the factory efforts of the 80s remember Honda as being the powerhouse in the sport, and the company that always seemed to set the example for others to follow. It was unfortunate that Honda had to pull out of ATV racing back then, but it's great to see them and the others back.
ATVAonline: What's the new Honda TRX450R like to ride?
Farr: The new Honda is awesome. Faced with only a short time to get it ready to race, we feel that it is working very well. I think that as the year goes on I continue to test and work on setups this will easily become the best ATV I have ever raced.
ATVAonline: Honda made its official return to ATV off-road racing by winning the Open ATV class and taking first overall ATV at the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 with the TRX450R in November. You were part of that winning team. What was it like?
Farr: Baja was a great experience and possibly the most fun I've had racing in several years. I have raced Baja twice before, but would have to say that this one was definitely by far the best. Honda did a great job setting up the ATVs and taking care of everything. We only had to show up and race to win.
ATVAonline: Who is your mechanic? Who are your sponsors?
Farr: My mechanic is Mark Baldwin of Baldwin Motorsports. My sponsors are Honda, Baldwin Motorsports, DG, Honda Oils and Chemicals, Honda Genuine Parts, ITP, PEP, O'Neal, Douglas Wheel, Wiseco, Kames Sports Center, White Brothers, Curtis Sparks Racing, Hinson Racing, Laeger's, JB Racing, Scott, Sidi, Updog, Quad Tech, and State 8 Motorcycle and ATV.