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September 28, 2005
Section: sports
Edition: BRADENTON
Page: 1D
HUTTON'S RETURN TO RACING IS ALL ABOUT FUN
Scott Lockwood, Special to the Herald
EAST MANATEE --- For some race car drivers, the sport consumes every bit of
their time --- it's serious business. For others, like Venice resident Timm Hutton, it's
all about having fun.
"Basically, we're just out here to have a real good time, not get hurt, and, if we can,
win a race or two," Hutton said.
Hutton, 47, began racing in the early 1980's. He ran competitively every year until
'86, when he stopped racing due to the birth of his first son, Cliff, and to
concentrate on his business, TS Hutton Trucking Equipment and Repair.
Last winter, Timm and Cliff Hutton and former driver Roger Bryson built a car for
Cliff to race in the Pure Stock Division at DeSoto Super Speedway this year. Then
came the news that another car was on its way for Timm Hutton to drive.
"Cliff had said, 'I don't think dad's still got it,' and Roger said 'I don't think your dad
ever lost it.' Then, two days later, Roger showed up at the shop hoping I wasn't
going to be mad at him," Timm Hutton said. "I asked him, 'Why I would be mad?'
And then he told me he bought us a race car."
When Timm Hutton strapped himself into his No. 57 Pure Stock car in the season's
opening weekend at DeSoto, it marked his return
to racing after a 19-year absence. In his first race back, he proved he 'still had it'
by finishing third.
"It was quite an experience to roll over that hump for the first time in nearly 20
years," Hutton said. "It was very, very hot and very long and tiresome. I didn't know
whether or not I was going to make it . . . it just about whipped me. But we did have
a very good time that night, and I was real happy with the way that the car ran."
Hutton's race team is pretty much a father-and-sons operation. Hutton's sons Cliff,
now 19, and Stephen, 15, along with Swinton, do all the work on the cars. Racing is
more for the experience than anything else.
"We're not out to win any points championships or anything," Timm Hutton said.
"It's something to do with the boys, and it keeps them out of trouble. It also gives
them something to do during the week and on Saturday nights . . . and it seems to
be working."
Hutton's love of racing was easily handed down to his sons. Cliff is in his rookie
season, and he has patterned his driving after his father's.
"I watch and see what he does on the track," Cliff Hutton said. "I try and do the
same if it's better for me. I also watch a lot of his setups."
Stephen recently took his very first laps in his father's race car during a recent test
session at DeSoto.
"It was great, just wonderful," an obviously excited Stephen said as he climbed out
of the car. "I've always dreamed about going out on the track in one of these."
"I've always waned to be like dad."
As the boys' driving careers progress, Timm Hutton won't necessarily be hanging it
up anytime soon. In fact, he may be able to stay involved in racing by doing what
he likes even better than driving the car.
"To be honest, working on the car, building the car and repairing the car are the
best things for me."
PHOTO/TED MASE/Special to the Herald
Timm Hutton is back racing at DeSoto Speedway after a 19-year absence from the
local racing scene.
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