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Mat Lagoon
Born in 1961, Mat has been
involved with the  automotive industry all his life. He's an automotive engineer
who loves all types of racing from dirt to water and has experience in all of
them. He's crewed for Allan Moffatt, he's been crew chief for Greg Hansford,
Gene Cook and Mark Harrison just to name a few.
He'll look after you too. He'll put you in the fastest car you'll ever drive,
you'll have the experience of a lifetime, and you'll gain the skills to pursue a
career in racing if you desire. His depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for racing
is endless, and he doesn't mind sharing his knowledge if you're willing to
learn. Mat came up with the idea of searching for an Aussie driver to race in
the USA about 3 or 4 years ago, motivated by the fact that there must be an
avenue for high-quality drivers to get a break, without the 5-figure cost that
goes with it. A kind of 'Australian Idol' for racers if you like. The difference
is, you don't get voted off, only you can sell yourself short.
Come and meet Mat, and with your enthusiasm and his experience, we'll have
you racing in the States by the end of 2006. But beware, he has a peculiar sense
of humour.
Col Lagoon
Col was born in 1954 and is and electrical engineer by trade but gave that up
for a career in Human Resources. Now as manager of his own HR Company in
Queensland, his skills in personal development and matching jobs to people is
second to none. Enthusiasm for race is one thing, having the skills to deal with
the pressure of media, public speaking, promoting sponsors, and being the right
person for this job is where Col comes in.
He'll evaluate your personality and mannerisms, and give you the skills to
handle any situation and make it successful. Think you can hit a wall at 250kph,
get dragged out by a medical team, see your car trashed in front of 90,000
spectators, think the boss is going to kill you for this, and come up smiling
for the fans and sponsors? It's all part of the job. And Col will coach you all
the way. Oh and by the way, he has an odd sense of humour too.
Tim Wallis
Tim Wallis is
among the best string bender
guitarists in the guitar business. He blends Jazz, Swing, Rockabilly and Country
with an amazing virtuosity. Wallis is simply awesome on string/chord bends,
string drops with double and triple-stop riffs at speeds most guitar players
can't play in single note lines. This guy will turn your world upside down.
Tim's
inventiveness, blistering speed and outrageous assortment of string bending
licks are no less than remarkable. You not only hear every note, but you feel it
as well. Tim's "one man show" is just that. All the backup instruments and
vocals you hear are performed, produced and recorded by Tim. Tim also has a
successful career in both Radio/TV as a host and producer.
Tim's lightning fast fingers, string bending chords
and spine tingling licks impress even the toughest critics and musicians.
His style ranges from Swing, Country, Jazz and
Rockabilly.
1971:
Played his 1st gig, at the age of 9, in a bar in Riverton, IL.
1973:
Begins playing guitar with the family band. Mom/Drums, Dad/Pedal Steel Guitar,
Uncles Randy and Mike Gentry Bass/Rhythm Guitar.
1976: He
was working 5 nights a week in the area bars. That year, at the age of 14, he
bought a 1947 Dodge Coupe at a rummage sale and, with no drivers license, drove
himself to gigs ...... before he got caught.
1985:
Tim with his Band "Thin Ice" won 1st place in IL and WI in the "True Value
Showdown" and 2nd in the USA.
1989:
Began his own line of B&G Stringbenders for the guitar. He named the Co. Timara
after his daughters Timika and Sara.
1991:
Tim was under Contract with Warner Brothers as a singer/songwriter and
musician.
1994:
Won Songwriter of the Year (ICMA). Tim's song "Long Night" was judged by a panel
of successful Nashville songwriters.
1994:
Hosted the WDZQ Radio Morning Show for 5 years while still playing guitar in his
band several nights a week.
1999:
Tim Wallis is one of the pioneers of Internet Radio. Tim launched two Internet
Radio Stations, WKRP.FM and Steel Radio.
2003:
Began writing, producing, directing and hosting the TV show "Pickin' on the
Prairie". It featured musicians, spoof bits and interviews.
2004:
Tim teamed up with Donnie Tate. They design and build Axxx Hot Rod Guitars,
Timara Stringbenders, Tate's Drop D Tuner and other Custom Shop products
Mike Herman
One word will tell you everything you need to
know about Mike Herman Jr. -- heart. He has had more setbacks than any one
person deserves. When the family asphalt company that provided his main support
nearly went belly up and was forced to pull funding, his father cashed in his
retirement fund to keep Herman's dream afloat. When a new full-time USAR ProCup
Series sponsor came on board, it seemed too good to be true -- and it was. They
changed their minds and notified him via fax. No one would blame Herman for
questioning his career in racing, but he never does. He loves racing more than
anything in the world and will do whatever it takes to stay in the game, even if
that means working at a pawnshop in his hometown of Kannapolis, N.C. His life's
wish is to make it to NASCAR and make his parents proud.
Hometown:
Kannapolis, NC
Birthdate: 8/14/1974
Spouse: Girlfriend
Kids: None
Did you know?
Mike is a two-time NASCAR track Champion at
Concord (NC) Motorsports Park.
He holds the USAR ProCup Series qualifying track
record for the Chemung (NY) Speedrome, set in 2001.
Mike was awarded the 'Smart Move of the Year'
award for the USAR ProCup Series in 2000.
Personal Website:
www.mikeherman.com
Terry Wyhoon
After 11 years of dirt-track
speedway, Terry turned his hand in 1989 to the high-banked oval of Calder Park
Thunderdome campaigning the super-competitive AUSCAR category, at that time
widely regarded as the leading Holden-versus-Ford saloon category in the
country. In 1995 he finished runner-up to multiple champion Brad Jones, before
taking the title in 1996, winning the elite TAC Peter Brock Classic (against the
great man) the same year.
In 1997 Terry realised a long-term dream of competing in the prestigious NASCAR
category, finishing his debut year as Rookie of the Year, then finishing
runner-up in the championship to Kim Jane the following season. In 1999, along
with Jane, Terry was invited to a NASCAR sanctioned and promoted 500 mile event
in Japan (sadly despite qualifying strongly, Terry suffered mechanical failure
mid-race).
In 2000 Terry joined the V8 Supercar brigade as a contender in the 'development'
Konica Series, also joining the 'main game' for the endurance races, scoring a
competitive 11th outright in the action-packed Queensland 500. Despite some
strong finishes, a limited budget restricted Terry to predominantly top 10
results.
After campaigning his final 'development' series event at Bathurst in 2003,
Terry joined the fledgling AMRS Series in 2005, finishing runner-up. In 2006,
Terry is leading the same series at the mid-point of the year, whilst also
campaigning select rounds of the 2006 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series, carding an
outstanding second race win on his return to the category at Wakefield Park in
late May.
Mark Harrison
Mark lives in the beautiful
Blue Mountains  of NSW and
can only be bought out of these idyllic surroundings by the sound of a NASCAR or
a damn good steak. Having competed in NASCAR racing in Australia at the height
of its popularity, He's more than happy to assist new drivers to the same
championship level that he's experienced. In other words, pay attention, This
guy knows his S^#T.
Unlike Sean, Mark has a sense
of humor, and no desire at all for world peace.
Stephen (Spotty) Clarke
Spotty has been
involved with NASCAR in Australia since 1996 when he went
from being a fan in the stands to the "Spotter" high atop the stands of Calder
Park Thunderdome,
Guiding the Shell
Helix NASCAR out of trouble. Being the drivers eyes and ears, he became an
integral part of the team, detailing the car pre-race and liaising with crew
chief Mat Lagoon. Added to this, he has over 6 years experience with Channel
31, including working on "Two Wheel Torque" and "In Pit Lane" as a director and
vision switcher. His spare time is taken up with Internet Hyper simulator racing
(which he excels at) tennis, cycling, motorsport and looking after his family
(sorry girls!)
Even though he's a
Holden guy, AND he supports #24 Jeff Gordon Monte Carlo in the States, we
appreciate his enthusiasm, talent and love for all things racing.
And remember, there
isn't a lot on the track that he won't see, so if you do it…he'll spot it!
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