Tim Norris' first place strategy for success: recruitment, resources, results

Tim Norris, apprenticesearch.com #88 racecar driver, behind the wheel en route to a performance that has him sitting in first place in the overall standigns. Click for bigger.

Midway through his third season of racing in the Ontario Pro Challenge Series, Tim Norris – driver of the apprenticesearch.com #88 racecar – is leading the pack, holding first place in points and consistently finishing in top positions each and every week. His secret to success? A strategy that ought to be familiar with a lot of apprenticesearch.com users: recruitment, resources, results.

“This is our first year where all three have really come together,” says the driver. “And that’s translated into the standings.”

After a strong showing in the first three events of the season, finishing second each time in the feature race, Tim kicked it into high gear when his team went to Sunset Speedway on June 23. There, Tim finished first in the feature, his first big victory of the season. That was followed up by another feature win at Mosport on July 7, a victory that solidified his position at the top of the overall standings.

For his part, the part-time racecar driver and full-time skilled tradesman isn’t letting the success go to his head. “It’s great being in first, but I’m not letting that fact change how we race. I still go out there and just focus on doing the best I can each and every time.”

Doing his best requires tapping into that famous strategy. To start, Tim’s recruited friends and family – most of them with skilled trades backgrounds – to help him keep the car in racing shape. On the track, he uses his experiences both on and off the track as a resource, driving smart and being aware of the maneuvers that can give him just that little extra bit of speed.

Lastly, there are the results, as Tim’s piled on a string of strong showings in both the features and heat races.

“It’s not about winning each and every time,” he explains. “But instead you just have to make sure that you do what’s best for the car. It’s not worth coming in first if it means putting the car at risk. I just try to drive smart and be consistent.”

Dave Buchanan, friend and machinist, checks the apprenticesearch.com #88 racecar before a race. Click for bigger.

That consistency and care for the car has meant better performance than ever before. At a recent race at Kawartha Speedway, Tim was clocked going almost 200 kilometres per hour.

“Dave and I are working really well together,” Tim explains, citing the performance. “He can see what I can feel. We’re just constantly improving.”

Tim was scheduled to race July 14 at Flamboro Speedway, but rain forced a cancellation. He’ll next return to the track this Saturday, July 21, at Sauble Speedway in Sauble Beach, before continuing on to Sunset Speedway on August 4.

For more information on the Ontario Pro Challenge series, visit their website.
 

-Matt Elliott

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