Tehachapi News

All > News
Community Close-up: Facing danger helps CO relax
Topics:
Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 599 times
1 response 0 comments As he races around the speedway, Reese Timonen feels calm and relaxed, something he doesn’t often feel in his job.

Stress with a capital S describes Reese’s duties as a correctional sergeant at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. But that all goes away when he mounts his road-racing motorcycle and flies around the curves at the Willow Springs International Raceway.

“I feel calm,” Reese said. “You have to focus. You don’t have time to think about anything, so it is very calm.”

He said he only gets excited after the race has been completed. 
Working alongside Reese in his racing endeavors is his wife and fellow correctional officer, Rachel.

“For both of us it’s a diversion,” Rachel said. “We stay at the track for the weekend in the motor home.”

Rachel is completely dedicated to Reese being a successful racer and even works overtime to help support the expensive sport, which can cost $1,500 a weekend.
“It’s weird because it is so dangerous, yet I support him,” she said. “He enjoys it and is very good at it.”

Reese is quick to acknowledge that he couldn’t be involved in the competition without Rachel. He said she handles the scheduling and photography and helps him on the bike.

The racing motorcycle, also known as a crouch rocket, doesn't have a kick stand, so Rachel holds the bike long enough for Reese to get on and then takes if off before the race begins.

Competing with much younger racers doesn’t seem to discourage Reese, who is approaching his 40th birthday and calls the sport the “most exciting thing in the world.”

“A lot of people are amazed that an old guy from Tehachapi has started racing,” he said.

Reese may have come in to racing a little late in life, but he is simply following a family tradition. His mother, Diane Bingham, who recently retired as a correctional officer, used to race dirt bikes and he has a brother who is a champion dirt bike racer.

Reese credits Jarred Monaghans for getting him started in road racing. He said Jarred guided him along in the racing business and built a racing motorcycle for him.

To qualify for a race, participants must have at least a novice license, which can only be obtained after attending a racing school. Then after accumulating enough racing points, the competitor qualifies for an expert license.

“It took me three races to get enough points,” Reese said. “I’m coming up to speed really fast.”

The top speed thus far for Reese has been 181 mph.

Currently, Reese is recuperating from a racing accident in which he received injuries to his right ankle, right shoulder and right elbow.

Despite the setback, Reese is looking forward to racing in the near future and what’s best about it is that Rachel will be helping him to do his best.

Reese and Rachel met at a prison in Salinas Valley and have been married more than nine years.

Rachel says she and Reese have a “very good relationship” and have renewed their vows four times since they were married. They look forward to renewing their vows again this October.

“If everyone on the planet were as happy as we are, it would be a beautiful world,” Rachel said. “We are married to our friends.”

Rachel is more than happy to push Reese around town in the wheelchair and help him through the recovery process. After all, he did that for her when she recovered from an ankle injury last year. 

Reese also receives support from his fellow employees at CCI, helping during the time that he has been off work.

“They are great, even if they think I’m crazy for pursuing such a dangerous sport,” he said. 

Reese admits that road racing is a very dangerous sport, but said it makes a graceful picture.

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation