Tim Farr Signs with Honda 9-10-03
- Updated: September 10, 2003
Honda’s Tim Farr speaks about his new factory backed deal
Today Honda turned the ATV racing world right side up and gave it the respect it so deserves. Not since 1986 has Honda supported ATV racing. That was the last year that factory red raced. Now, 17 years later, Honda says it’s time!
Today at their 2004 Dealer Meeting at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las, Vegas, NV, Honda announced the exciting news of its new TRX450R, their answer to the king of all race quads, the TRX250R – which they quit making in 1989. As smoke filled the arena, sound effects glared and checkered flags fell, an unidentified rider rode the highly anticipated pure race quad into its center-stage-show-stealing-position. Dealers had been waiting for this ATV for 15 years! And so has the rest of the sport performance market. Dealers and Honda personnel uniformly smiled ear to ear as the announcer boasted the mighty new bullies’ specs.
You would think that the introduction to the new purposely made for closed coursed racing quad would be the highlight of the night. It wasn’t, instead the 2,500 dealers in attendance rose to their feet in jubilation after the announcement of Honda’s announcement of their coming out of racing retirement and their newest factory racing team member. The unidentified rider, none other than Mr. Tim Farr himself, then pulled off his helmet, and in usual humble form, waved to the crowd in appreciation to their support.
ATV Scene, with much appreciated help from wife Julie Farr, shortly after caught up to Farr and asked him these questions…
ATV Scene: First off Tim, let us be the first to congratulate you on your new ride, no one deserves it more than you.
Farr: Thanks. It has been a dream of mine my entire career to be a factory backed rider and it has finally happened…..not to mention with the best company
possible.
ATV Scene: Now what kind of will power do you possess to be able to keep the most important thing that has happened to ATV racing quiet and to yourself?
Farr: It was really tough because I was so excited and couldn’t say a word. At least I didn’t have to keep it secret for very long.
ATV Scene: We’re sure you’ve had time to swallow this news, but do you realize how historic an event this really is?
Farr: It is incredible and still hard for me to believe! I was beginning to think that this day would never come in my career. Honda owned “ATV racing” back
in the day and it’s a true honor to have them choose me to represent them in their long awaited return to the sport. It is truly historic.
ATV Scene: What exactly does being a “Red Rider” entail?
Farr: As far as I know I will simply need to handle myself and my affairs as I always have…in a professional manner. I have basically always handled my racing program very well on my own and that is part of what attracted Honda to me. I believe that for the most part I will continue to do this and be somewhat self sufficient. As for racing commitments the plan is to compete in the Clearchannel/SFX series and all of the ATVA MX and TT Nationals in the Pro-Production class. Does anyone still wonder why I felt Pro-Production was where I needed to be last year?
ATV Scene: What about the people behind your team? Will you have new mechanics? A marketing person? Tell us more behind the scenes info.
Farr: Everything will remain mostly the same. Honda respects that my program has won many championships and needs to remain intact. I will most likely have
some sponsor changes, but the main companies and crew that have helped me get to this point in my career will remain. Mark Baldwin will always be my
mechanic.
ATV Scene: When is your first race on this machine?
Farr: The Baja 1000 in November.
ATV Scene: Any plans on racing the new 450R at the 12 Hours of ATV America?
Farr: That would be a great race to debut the TRX450R, but unfortunately there is no way that timing will allow it.
ATV Scene: Being that you’re probably the only guy we know who has ridden the 450, what can you tell us about it?
Farr: To put it simply, it’s the best sport/race ATV ever produced. It is the TRX250R with 2003 technology.
ATV Scene: Do you suspect this is the icebreaker to other OEMs fielding factory race teams? If so, who do you think will be the next team?
Farr: I hope that this is not only a great opportunity for me, but a huge advance for our sport. I surely hope that others will follow and everyone can benefit from this.
