Remembering Tim Trier
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
By Track Historians Bob Wilson and Eric Arnold
We are all deeply saddened to pass on the news that long-time announcer Tim Trier has lost his battle with cancer. Tim was a beloved announcer at Knoxville Raceway from 1979-1992, and again during the 1999 season.
Tim grew up in the 1960’s watching his Uncle Johnny Babb race and caught the racing fever at a young age. As an announcer Tim started out calling high school sporting events and in the mid 1970’s he was announcing drag racing at Eddyville and Cedar Falls. Tim was first hired at Knoxville to do pit reporting during the 1979 Knoxville Nationals and his booming voice and talent was quickly recognized by promoter Ralph Capitani, which led to Tim being hired as a weekly announcer. He also announced for several years on Friday nights at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and all around the state of Iowa helping his brother Mick who is a long-time racing promoter in Iowa. Tim also helped out with scoring and as scoreboard operator for a few years at Knoxville after his announcing days. He was also the voice of Newton Cardinals football in recent years.
Trier was a resident of nearby Newton, Iowa and was employed by Maytag. After the closing of Maytag he worked for Iowa Telecom and then earned his Master’s Degree in Psychology at Drake which he used to become a guidance counselor at Aurora Heights Elementary in Newton. Tim was also a basketball and football coach in Newton from 1987-2015 and was given the Newton High School Legacy Award this past February for his years of service. He had a genuine passion for helping young people. He took in numerous kids over the years in foster care.
Tim will be remembered for his catch phrases "It's Showtime!" which he attributes to a friend and for "Race Time in the Valley" a phrase he says he borrowed from announcer Don Warren. He also used “He has the wick turned up and the kite string out!” and “He has it whistling Dixie!”
Tim had a special talent for communicating with fans and coming up with nick names such as “Magic Mike Brooks,” “Rim Ridin Randy Smith,” and “The Jedi TJ Giddings.”
Tim was especially proud to have influenced a new generation of announcers; Tony Bokhoven and Blake Anderson.
“Tim was a selfless man,” said Tony Bokhoven. “He really loved talking about racing. He was more than an amazing announcer, he was a huge race fan. He had a unique way of learning about the drivers and teams and without fail, had a clever and witty way to entertain you as a race fan. There is no doubt that today he has the kite string out!”
“Tim just had such a lasting effect of me,” said Blake Anderson. “From all sides of life. He was a coach in sports for me from 7th-12th grade and then became a good friend. I will always remember him stopping me each week after intermission and we always had a quick chat. He was always there for advice on anything, from school, to sports, to announcing.”
For so many people who came to Knoxville Raceway in the 1980’s they will forever have a special place in their hearts for Tim Trier, albeit as a fan, a driver who was interviewed by him in victory lane, or an aspiring announcer. He will be missed.
Tim’s last night behind the mic here was on June 30, 2012. He filled in at the last minute as a favor to Toby Kruse, the promoter here at the time. Tim was inducted into the Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame in 2005, joining his Uncle Johnny Babb who was inducted in 1981.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family. Tim was 61 years old. Services will be held at Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton. Visitation is Friday from 5 to 7pm and Funeral Saturday at 10am. More info at http://www.wallacefamilyfuneralhome.com/notices/RTim-Trier
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