|
By: Robert Janis Growing Up
on an ATV
Matt Smiley |
Some people are lucky to find their passion
for something before they die. In the case of
Matt Smiley he discovered a fervor for something
at the beginning of his life. The Kunkletown,
Pennsylvania resident encountered ATV riding at
the ripe old age of six. Now the 31 year old is
racing ATVs as a pro in the GNCC Series for
Polaris.
It was his dad who nudged him into the ATV
world. "My dad bought one to move fire wood
around," said Smiley. "Then I rode with some
older guys who raced. That's when I really got
into speed and the knowledge of riding." Then
the thrill of going fast and winning races kept
him in the sport.
He cut his teeth initially riding a Honda
ATC200 Big Red. But his first race was on a
Honda TRX 250R. "I rode that Honda because it
was the best machine of that time," he said.
It was 13 seasons ago, when he was 18 years
old, that Smiley started racing as a pro. He
figures that he has made the podium close to 80
times. Today, besides Polaris, he is sponsored
by such other major companies as Safari
Motorsports, Elka, Maxxis, Klotz, IMS, DP
Brakes, Roll Design, White Brothers, Hiper
Wheels, Tire Balls, Cardio Stack, Twin Air, and
Works Connection. His first year racing for
Polaris he rode the Polaris Predator 500. For
the 2006 season he is on the Polaris Outlaw 500.
The reason? "Because IRS is the future of ATV
racing," he said.
The best part of racing, said Smiley, is the
winning feeling. The worst is cleaning up the
mud and traveling long distances to compete in
events.
His favorite track is the WISP in Maryland
"because it is the roughest currently on the
circuit," he said. His favorite obstacle?
"Rocks! Because I love riding in them and most
people hate them," he said.
Although he has been successful in his racing
endeavors, Smiley has not given up his day job.
He works for a landscaping company. "It keeps me
in great shape for racing," he said.
As for the future of ATVs in general and the
sport of racing, Smiley commented, "I think
you're going to see even more exciting new
models and even more factory involvement. As far
as my future is concerned, I know I have at
least another 10 years in me," he concluded.
|
