Matt Bartosek passes on
by John Pellan

1999 90 Mod GNC Champ 2000 2nd 250 A 6th 250 Pro-Am 2001 3rd 250 A 4th 250 Pro-Am 2002 11th Pro MX 14th Pro TT 16th Pro-Am MX 16th Pro-Am TT

art by Jorge Cuartas

It was only six months ago that we all dealt with the passing of Cody Hurst, who was the first ATV racer to lose his life after crashing in a big ATV race. Here we are again faced with the same thing. This kind of thing isn't supposed to happen. I've been at the races for many many years and have never seen anything like this. A bad crash usually means two months without riding while a bone heals. For some reason ATV races are forced to deal with far more lately.

Matt was one of the best mini riders ever, he won numerous national events, a national championship, special awards including the prestigious Randy Howard Award in 2000 and many local races along the way. He finished in the runner up spot behind Dana Creech's heroic 2000 A class championship. Two years ago, despite a season filled with bad luck, Matt finished in the ultra competitive GNC A class as number three in the nation. In 2002 he moved up to the pro ranks and came on strong as the season came to a close. Racing side by side with the best riders in the world, he finished just five points from a top ten spot in the GNC MX series and earned a 14 overall in the GNC TTs. He finished the 2002 year off by teaming up with Jathan Seale and Brad Covington. The trio entered the inaugural 12 Hours of ATV America as Team JB Racing. Matt was in the best shape of his life and it showed in Iowa. Those in attendance were awe struck with his smooth fast pace as the race progressed. Matt was the go to guy of the team, which charged back from a first lap crash that caused them to be a lap down on the leaders. It was Matt that passed Joe Byrd and got them back on the current lap. Along the way, in one of his sessions, he rode over two hours straight and posted fast and consistent lap times on each and every lap! The rookie team went on to finish with an extremely respectable runner up position -- only 11 minutes behind the powerhouse team of Doug Gust, Joe Byrd and Mike Walsh. At 19 Matt had come of age. Intelligent ATV racing enthusiasts knew there was something special in this kid. He was determined to be the next ATV racing superstar and his stand was definitely showing these last few months.

This was definitely evident to those on hand at the Winter ATV Olympics in Gainesville, FL. I was proud to have come up with a perfect nickname for this ATV legend of tomorrow. "Nails" seemed to be right for him in my opinion. Matt reminded me of baseball great, Lenny "Nails" Dykstra, who was "tougher than nails" on a ball field. Like Dykstra's devotion to baseball, Matt's every hour was spent with the same kind of dedication to the sport of ATV racing. The sandy, whooped out Gainesville cross country track was extremely demanding and offered riders no places to rest. In later laps this track turned the majority of the pro field into C class riders, but Matt seemed to pour it on and looked strong as ever. After seeing his 12 Hours display and the later laps of his tireless 2nd place blitz through the woods, fields and whoops on the Winter Olympics cross country track, I think everyone would agree that "Nails" would certainly fit as appropriate. This kid was tough! He eventually finished this race only a few minutes behind cross country regular, Chris Borich (GNCC #4)!

The next day, Matt raced the best race of his career and opened the eyes of any doubters of his ability to flat out haul on an ATV. It happened in the "Super TT" race, (a scaled down motocross track) which was the second of three competitions in the inaugural Winter ATV Olympics. Once again all in attendance were awe struck, as Matt hunted down the Ricky Charmichael of ATV racing, Jeremiah Jones (2001 GNC National Champion). Matt reeled in Jones and pressured to pass on more than one occasion. As laps wound down, I ran some numbers in my head. It was clear Matt had the best shot of any to come out of the event as the first annual "Pro ATV Olympiad". I couldn't wait to report the news and share the excitement it would bring to the ATV racing community especially those in the Ohio/PA area Matt and I call home.

All this excitement quickly turned to sheer terror in front of my eyes. It's haunted me for days now and probably will for life. I watched Matt try to put a pass on Jones for the win on lap 17 of 20. His left front tire collided with Jones' rear right. This sent him over the bars while his right boot got caught in the Laeger YZ's nerf net. I watched the worst crash I've ever seen as Matt got pounded into the ground repeatedly before coming to a stop. Then I suffered through the worst site of my life. Matt couldn't get a breath of air because his lungs and internal organs were badly ruptured. He looked into my eyes as to simply say "help me get my breath John!" With his mother Deb also at his side, he then went unconscious while paramedics and ATV racing's dear friend, Dr. Ragon worked on saving his life. As we waited along side the ambulance, all that was left for us to do was pray to God for help in the matter.

As he got carried to the life-flight helicopter, I yelled to him to fight the temptation to give up on life. I told him to be tough like he was while chasing Jones on the track. I think he might have heard me and fought long and hard all the way through the life flight and into the hospital. For some reason God had other plans however and the rest of his life wasn't meant to be. Even Matt, tougher than nails, couldn't finish this battle. It's beyond what we all can know and understand. I (as all of you reading this) am having a lot of trouble trying to reason with any of this and convey any good from it. This is a devastating blow to the ATV racing scene. As of right now, I'm not sure what effect it will have on the sport. All I know is it's disgustingly sad and I'll never forget my tougher than nails buddy.

My heartfelt condolences are especially aimed at Debbie Bartosek, Matt's mom. I pray that we don't waste this tragedy by not seeing how precious and temporary life truly is. Love each other, accept Christ into your life, ride safe and have fun.

Matt Bartosek You'll be truly missed and never forgotten.

HOME