Tim Kelley

• Name: Tim Kelley

• Age: 44

• Family: Wife, Devin; daughters, Kayla and Carinne; son, Braden

• City of residence/years in area: Colusa, 33 years

• Occupation: Business owner, mechanic

• Employer/years employed: Kelley's Automotive, 18 years

• Training/certifications: ASE Master Tech

• Years in the automotive industry: More than 25 years

• How did you get your start in automotive? My dad had a auto repair shop and as I grew up, I spent most of my childhood there, working alongside my dad.

• What is the biggest problem facing the industry today? There is really a lack of qualified automotive techs.

• What is the hardest part of your job? Managing my time between my family, my business and, of course, racing drag boats. With each racing season, the demands on my time get heavier and heavier.

• What advice would you give to aspiring mechanics or service techs? I believe the best advice I could give a mechanic/tech would be to take advantage of any classes or training that their employer may offer or through private sources. As technology continues to advance, techs need to not only learn how to stay up with the technology, but they also need to continue to update their tech skills and stay current with the technology of that time.

• What was the first car you owned and how did you afford it? My dad and I built a 1956 Chevy pickup. We started work on the car when I was 13 years old.

• If you could have any car of any year, what would it be? While I would love to find a late '60s Chevy Chevelle, I think I would really enjoy having a '68 Chevy Camaro with a factory big block.

Editor's note: Kelley brought the 2007 IHBA Pro Eliminator World Champion series title home to Colusa last fall.

After racing just two years, Kelley won the title with points earned at the Hot Boat Associations (IHBA) World Finals in Phoenix.

His crew includes Mikeal Anania, Mike Ortiz, Josh Young, Mel Kelley and Devin Kelley.