I had the opportunity to speak with Tim Van Horn and just asked: “Tell me about your dad and let’s tell the racers who are racing in his memory a little of what he was about and why an Xcel race would carry his name.
We talked for the better part of an hour telling stories and relating not just who he was, but what he was like and why this is a fitting tribute to remember him.
The shortest reason is, Sr. is a person through happenstance stumbled upon the Xcel series, drove a race car for the first time and it left a lasting impression – which is something this author can relate to.
Tim Sr. was surrounded by racing his entire life. Working in a trucking business he worked hard, and driving a race car was a late love in his life.
He lost his father at the early age of 50 and when he turned 41 he also suffered a cardiac emergency. Coupled with a diagnosis of diabetes, he was pragmatic about his time on this planet.
A fellow racer named Kyle Gardner introduced the Xcel class to Tim Sr. and he purchased his Xcel in 2008.
For a few years, he raced when time permitted and while never a winning car, he was competitive and loved the series. He was lucky enough to have help from the Mady’s and Geezer. They talked setups and tweaks like many of us do mutually benefitting by collaboration.
He didn’t just love Xcel racing, it was remarked, that if you did not know where he was, you might find him at the food stand enjoying a hot dog and holding a coke. He was that type of guy.
Inevitably, his health concerns stopped him from participating and he turned the franchise over to his son Timmy in 2012.
Though not actively driving, he remained part of the series well after his helmet was on the shelf. He often was just behind the scenes helping without the fanfare. Along with supporting the team and the relief driver, he was active in the Xcel community and a frequent communicator with Doug during his time as a non-driver.
Fora time, one of the teams had a side-by-side and it was trailered to tour events as sort of an unofficial Xcel tow/push truck. When there was an appeal to help fund flashing safety lights, Van Horn Sr. was instrumental in the purchase of that equipment.
He was known to care about safety and some of the improvements in our series can directly be accredited to his insight.
There was a team in the chase for the championship who like many were down on their luck nearing the end of the season. Tim Sr. agreed that if the need was there, they could use his equipment to chase the title. Turned out they didn’t end up calling on him, but his selfless manner and willingness to help would have been offered and that is the reason so many people looked up to him.
He was only 58 years old when he passed has left behind three children including Tim Van Horn whom you have met at the track.
The man had a big heart, drove a truck and loved racing.
A great story that most of us can directly relate to.
Another driver who was a part of our Xcel family both as a driver and supporter.
We are sure you can appreciate the tremendous fundraising that has taken place to make this a marquee event, now you have some understand of the why it was done and the actual person behind the name.
God Speed to Tim Van Horn Sr. and thanks to all of the people who have made this memorial possible.
See you at the track!
