Name: Tim McDougald
Crew Chief : Derrell McDougald
Crew: Tommy Rasmussen, Donny Engh, Cathy McDougald, Wendy Rasmussen
RacingWest: Tim, a lot of us would like to know about the
Limited Late Model Racing Series (LLMRS) could you tell us a little about it?
Tim McDougald: The Limited Late Model Racing Series is a new
deal started by Rusty Boyatt along with Kevin Palmer and his wife Shirley. The
idea was to combine stock clip Late Models with a little of the touring series
flair. Kind of a place for us lower budget guys to travel a bit and have some
fun. So far we have all had a great time.
RW: How much do you race for?
TM: Being a new series, purses are not that big. We have opted
instead to put the majority of the money in the season points fund. We get a
share of the gate, so the more cars, the bigger the purse with a percentage
of that going into the season points fund. Individual races pay somewhere around
$250.00 to win, I think, I haven't won one yet. The top 4 share the majority
of the money, then from 5th on down pays the same which is usually around $60.00,
or at least that's what I keep getting.
RW: What is the biggest expense in racing the series?
TM: I would say towing to the event. With a little luck, which
I have not had this year, it has been relatively inexpensive. We run an inexpensive
tire, so the tire bill stays down. Couple that with the fact that they will
live a couple races, and it helps even more. So the main cost is gas for the
hauler.
RW: What makes the money you spend to race the series, money
well spent?
TM: That one is easy, it's the fun we have had with this group
of guys. So far I have enjoyed this season more than any one I can remember
in quite some time.
RW: Do you have any people or sponsors that help you?
TM: The most important ones would be my crew. My Dad, Derrell
McDougald takes care of crew chief duties and he does a great job. I trust him
with anything he says or wants to try. Next would be my brother, Tommy Rasmussen,
and our friend Donny Engh. They both put far too much time into my car and they
are the reason I have been able to race this year. Then there are a couple people
behind the scenes, Tommy's wife Wendy is very supportive of the whole team.
My wife has been great this year supporting me. And Mom has been great too!
She takes care of the whole team at the track and cheers us all on, and she
does all our lettering. As for sponsors, I have to say thank you to Mauritsen
Enterprises for all the support they give us. And I will add, we are always
looking for new sponsors! ;)
RW: How did you first become interested in racing?
TM: My Dad started this whole thing when I was in High-School.
We use to go to Spanaway Speedway on the weekends together. Someone told him
he should build a car, so he did! We've been racing ever since, and the team
has continued to grow and improve.
RW: What is the dumbest thing you ever did on a track…ah,
come on…I won’t tell anyone.
TM: Man, that's a good one. I have to think about that. The
only thing that really comes to mind right now was a time when a friend put
me in his Late Model when I was about 18 years old. I started in the back to
try to stay out of the way, then I got cocky and got up with everyone else.
When the green flag flew we went down into turn 1 and I didn't brake fast enough
and ended up spinning about 3 of us! It was great, first lap, first turn, first
time ever in those cars, and there I was turned around backwards with a couple
other guys glaring at me. Looking back it was pretty funny, not very smart though.
RW: What one moment in your racing career meant the most to
you?
TM: Right now I would have to say that the most important thing
to me was setting the track record at Port Angeles during our last event. It
has been a very difficult season for us, so to come there and lay down what
would stand as the new track record really meant something. People have been
looking at us all year wondering if we could even do anything, it was so good
to show them just how good we can be with just a little luck.
RW: If the money fairy came your way and you could have her
wave her wand and put you racing any series in the world, which series would
that be?
TM: Right now I would have to say it would be the Limited Late
Model Racing Series. I'm just having too much fun with these guys to go somewhere
else. Hopefully the series stays around for a while and doesn't change from
what it is right now. Really all I want right now is a new chassis and a trailer
so my brother can have his trailer back. =) Other than that, I'm not sure I
would change anything else.
RW: Why do you like that series so much?
TM: It's just been a lot of fun, and I really like the people
involved in it.
RW: Now…I don’t know your marital status…so
if you are married pretend for a moment that you are single, if you aren’t.
Who would you most like to go to dinner with, Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johansson,
Hillary Clinton or Laura Bush. Ha ha…kinda trapped you with those choices,
huh?
TM: No, this one is easy too! I am married, and my wife would
tell you my answer would be Scarlett Johansson, hands down! It's all about the
Blondes with me. Lohan might be fun to party with, but she is too young for
me. Laura Bush is too old for me. That leaves Hillary, and I'm not sure I could
be in the same room with her. So hands down, Scarlett Johansson!
RW: If you were given a million dollars but had to donate it
all to charity, where would that money go?
TM: Wow, that's a good one. Probably the Children's Hospital
in Seattle. I always make it to their motorcycle charity ride every year, so
I'm more familiar with them. Although I love what Kyle Petty has done with his
camp.
RW: Final question….What do you think is something very
special about racing that may be unique to the NW, what makes you and others
just love it to pieces?
TM: I don't know. It's just home to me. You could say the weather
makes it unique! The tracks around here react to the weather due to the differences
in the amount of moisture in the air probably more than other places. I bet
you don't have to worry about that so much in say, Southern California.
RW: Thanks, Tim. I hope we can do this again…I would
love to learn more about you and the series and I know for sure your fans would
like to know more!
