Photo courtesy of The Nicki Factor - TJ is ready

TJ Hartman Racing - Update: Spring Ahead!

Puyallup, WA - March 14, 2010...

It has been nearly a year since TJ has motioned a push truck and flipped the switch to fire his sprint car. Granted, the push truck was a Polaris Quad courtesy of his neighbor, and the engine roaring to life was merely in the driveway to check for fluid leaks. But the sound of his Wesmar engine's healthy tone was a welcome noise for TJ, his team, and even his neighbors.

The ability to fire off the engine before the team makes its way to the first race of the year allows for everything to be checked over. There is more than just fittings to be checked. TJ explains: "Wesmar always puts together a great engine for us, so there's never a doubt it's going to run. But we like to make sure we have everything tightened up on our end. And it gives me a chance to get in the car and make sure everything fits and I'm comfortable. Brian(Butlerbuilt) and his guys built a perfect fitting seat for me and it felt great to sit in the car again, even if it was just to start the car."


Photo courtesy of The Nicki Factor - TJ ready to get 2010 started

Now that the car is finished and ready to go, the team is focusing on a few other details. TJ continues: "We've always been pretty organized in the shop, but we're always looking for better ways to do things. We kind of have to find some simpler ways to do things now, and just being more organized in the shop and in the trailer will help with that. I learned a lot from Paul(Silva) last year, and he still answers questions for me. I don't think there's anyone more organized than he is. It's cool to stay in touch with him and the guys, and I hope I get a chance to hook up with them for a few races again this year. It's always fun with those guys."

Keeping it fun is a great way to be, but there is a serious side as well. TJ knows there is still more work to do. He finishes the update: "Now that the car is ready, we're busy putting together a few spare parts. I can't thank the people who have helped us enough. Scott at Hooker Harness and all of my sponsors really. I wouldn't have what I do without them, and I wouldn't have any other manufacturer's parts on my car. I believe in their products and service, and it feels great when they believe in me. I can't wait to get back to the track!"

TJ can taste the methanol and dirt, and opening day is still a month or more away. The road back to the track has been long, but he has shown patience and maturity beyond his years. Between calls to vendors, sponsors, and working in the shop, he is still going full bore with his courses at Pierce College. Having the people he has behind him has made the tasks at hand easy to overcome, and the entire TJ Hartman Racing team thanks all of you for your support.

Next scheduled stop - Finding an opening day for racing amidst the storm clouds of the Northwest!


TJ Hartman Racing
www.TJHartmanRacing.com

2010 Sponsors -

A1A BuyNSell

A1A Notary

Beckler's Mobile Welding Service - www.becklermobilewelding.com

Advanced Powder Coating - www.gopowder.com

Hooker Harness - www.HookerHarness.com

Parts Plus of Summit - www.PartsPlus.com

Performance Coatings - www.Performancecoatings.com

Rod End Supply - www.Rodendsupply.com

Simpson Race Products - www.Simpsonraceproducts.com

Wesmar Racing Engines - www.WesmarRacing.com

Kinsler Fuel Injection - www.Kinsler.com

www.TJHartmanRacing.com

Photo courtesy of The Nicki Factor - Ready to run

TJ Hartman Racing - Update: Together Again!

Puyallup, WA - February 14, 2010...

Utilizing some spare parts and a used chassis, TJ has the Wesmar engine installed in his mount and is all but ready to go. The process also allowed TJ to take inventory of his operation, and figure out what he is missing to get back out racing.

The amount of equipment lost in last seasons crash became apparent when the time came to put together this years ride. TJ explains: "We had the spare frame and body panels already, but the little things like bolts, hoses, and fittings, is stuff you forget about until they're gone. And because we may be switching this car back and forth between wing and non-wing, we wanted to do a couple of things to make it simpler. We decided to stud the motorplate and make a scatter shield to fit the Buckley Yoke. It never bothered me to run it before without the shield, but now that I look at it, you can never be too safe."


Photo courtesy of The Nicki Factor - The modified Maxim scatter shield to work with the Buckley yoke

Despite rumors that the team acquired a brand new Maxim Chassis for the 2010 season, the freight delivery trucks rolling in the driveway have only brought a few smaller packages. "I'm not sure how that rumor got started!" TJ states with a laugh. "I would love to have a new or even a newer/used Maxim, but it's not in our budget. This frame is an old 2001 that we bought used three years ago. I ran it down at Hanford in 2007 and then we parked it to run our winged car. When we were putting everything together, we had both cars painted up to match, so this one basically looks brand new. My dad taught me to be fanatical about cleaning, so even though everything is older, it looks really good. I think it will work well for what we're doing."

With the engine installed and only a couple items remaining on the check list well before the season starts in the Northwest, TJ can remain focused on the immediate tasks at hand - namely school. He continues: "I am all done with High School now and College courses are going well. I really like the freedom I have now, and at the same time it's a lot more responsibility making sure I don't blow off my classes to do something else. It felt great to be working on the race car again, and now we're just waiting to see when and where we can run this year. Brian(Butler) called the other day and they shipped my new seat, and I still have to get my safety gear ordered up and replace my good shocks that were lost. We'll need to build up our spare parts again, but it feels good to be getting closer to being out there again."

TJ has been working on a few other items to increase the exposure for his race team. He finishes the update: "My friend Skip started a Facebook page for TJ Hartman Racing, and now (sister) Nicki is going to be doing quick notes every few days about what is going on with the team. I'm also working on a new look for my web site, but that's taking a little longer than I would like. I think the finished product will look nice though. We're still going to send out the email updates like we have always done after the races. Basically we just want to give everyone the opportunity to stay up on the latest news even if it's just to see a few new pictures."

To see TJ's Facebook page just go to your Facebook page and type in TJ Hartman Racing and become a fan. Feel free to leave your comments and words of encouragement for TJ and his team.

When TJ's season was cut short in 2009, nobody could make a prediction when he would get back out on the track. Thanks to his patience, and support from those who stuck with the lanky youngster, he is one step closer to getting back to his passion.

Next scheduled stop - Waiting for the 2010 racing season to get underway in the Northwest!


TJ Hartman Racing

Photo courtesy of The Nicki Factor - Wesmar Racing Engines & TJ Hartman Racing getting ready for action!

TJ Hartman Racing - Update: The New Year!

Puyallup, WA - January 18, 2010...

Santa and the New Year brought TJ his prized possession, as the Wesmar powerplant is back home to the teams Puyallup, Washington base. Repairs to the engine from the June 6th crash has the engine looking and sounding potent, just as before the crash.

TJ has more than just his health to be thankful for. "First I have to thank Bob and Kelly at Wesmar, and Greg at Kinsler for getting our engine back together." TJ states. "They did a great job just like they always do, and it feels good to have our engine back home. Just seeing the engine again gives me confidence. We have it in the spare car, and I can't wait to step on the throttle!"

Engines aren't the only thing needed to get back racing however. TJ continues: "I grew a little more this year so I had to call Jeannie at Butlerbuilt and order a new seat. We laughed because my butt still fits in the old seat, but I'm just getting taller. Everybody teases me about how skinny I am, but I just tell them that's our light weight program! Seriously though, even though my safety gear was destroyed in the crash, and I've outgrown the old seat, it's nice to know that companies like Butlerbuilt, Simpson, and Hooker Harness are there for me. It's good to know I can trust those companies to protect me on the track and I won't trust anyone else to take care of me."

The Wesmar engine is installed in TJ's spare car, and some time remains before the 2010 racing season begins in the Northwest. TJ finishes the update: "We're kind of waiting to decide which direction to go. This car was really setup to run non-wing, so we'll have to change a couple of things if I decide to run with the wing. We still have a few spare parts leftover after the crash, but I'm still missing some key components like my good shocks, and some wheels. We have a little time, but most of it is just deciding which direction to go from here. I'll be done with High School in a couple of weeks, and decided last quarter to take a full load at Pierce College for my Running Start program this quarter, so that is taking up a lot of my time right now."

TJ adds: "But I can't wait to strap in and fire off my Wesmar! It seems like forever since I've raced."

School, education, and racing - for this 18 year old, staying focused looks easy.

Next scheduled stop - Filling in the gaps!


TJ Hartman Racing
www.TJHartmanRacing.com

2009 Sponsors -

A1A BuyNSell

Beckler's Mobile Welding Service - www.becklermobilewelding.com

Advanced Powder Coating - www.gopowder.com

Hooker Harness - www.HookerHarness.com

Parts Plus of Summit - www.PartsPlus.com

Performance Coatings - www.Performancecoatings.com

Rod End Supply - www.Rodendsupply.com

Simpson Race Products - www.Simpsonraceproducts.com

Wesmar Racing Engines - www.WesmarRacing.com

Kinsler Fuel Injection - www.Kinsler.com

www.TJHartmanRacing.com

Photo courtesy of The Nicki Factor -

TJ Hartman Racing - Update: Seasons Greetings!

Puyallup, WA - December 23, 2009...

As 2009 draws to a close, TJ and his crew want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. We sincerely appreciate your support this past year and look forward to 2010 with you at our side.

Next scheduled stop - Waiting on Santa!


TJ Hartman Racing

Photo courtesy of The Nicki Factor - TJ's team injects a little humor each week


TJ Hartman Racing - Update: Memento's and a Second Chance!

Puyallup, WA - November 22, 2009...

At the end of every season TJ has put together a short video to capture the entire year through his looking glass. Even with an abbreviated season, there was still plenty to log in the memory banks. This 2009 TJ Hartman Racing project was made possible with the great work of the people who spend their time looking through a view finder. They are of as much importance to TJ's dreams as the ignition switch on his dash board is.

TJ takes a moment to reflect: "Even though my season was cut short, I wasn't going to let it ruin what it is I want to do. My thoughts about racing aren't any different, and that's what I wanted to project with this video."

The video runs through TJ's start in his own car back in April, then through the Summer with the Silva Motorsports team, and culminating with the youngsters vision of his future. TJ continues: "I want to thank Fletch, Nicki, and Roger for all of the photos, and Nathan for the contributing video. They get all our memories to look at over and over again. I also can't thank Shane and Paul enough for giving me a great year, and I want to congratulate them on wrapping up the ASCS National Championship this weekend in Tucson. They're the best, and it was a privilege to spend time with them this Summer."


Photo Courtesy of Roger Kolb - Stewart & Silva at the 2009 ASCS Banquet in Tucson

The 2009 TJ Hartman Racing video can be viewed on the TJ's web site at:

http://www.tjhartmanracing.com/videos.html

TJ Hartman Racing thanks all of our friends for their continued support and wishes everyone our best as the Holiday Season comes upon us. We have very much to be thankful for.

Next scheduled stop - Working on the Second Chance!


TJ Hartman Racing