Matt Smiley 6-30-03
- Updated: June 30, 2003
By Bonnie Hamrick
2002 GNCC runner up, Matt Smiley agreed to give us the scoop on his 2003 season. Here’s what he had to say when we cornered him at round nine in McHenry, MD.
ATV Scene: What have you changed for the 2003 Season?
Smiley: This year I am riding with Maxxis tires and the new LRD chassis.
ATV Scene: How long have you been fighting for the first place position?
Smiley: I started racing the GNCC races in 1993, where I started in the pro class, but I didn’t get serious about it until 1997. That’s when I started riding to my full potential. In my first year I got fifteenth overall, then the next I got sixth overall. As for getting serious for a National Championship, that was in 1999.
ATV Scene: Who is helping you make it big this year?
Smiley: Team Safari has been awesome to me. As well as Pro Parts, LRD, Maxxis, and MSR.
ATV Scene: What other ATV racing do you participate in besides the GNCC Series?
Smiley: District 6 in Pennsylvania. Whenever I can get to those races I will go, but I don’t run the whole series. It is mainly for practice.
ATV Scene: What is your opinion of the Pro Production Class?
Smiley: I think it is a good class, but in order for it to work as well as it should, the factories need to step up and give us some incentive to ride their ATVs. I know there are some new models coming out, but I don’t feel as though their quads are as good as the two strokes that I currently ride.
ATV Scene: What is your job during the week?
Smiley: I am in landscaping. I work about 50 hours a week.
ATV Scene: How do you stay in shape for the races?
Smiley: Working mostly. And I guess riding as much as I can. That is probably the best I can do besides racing.
ATV Scene: What is the best thing about the sport?
Smiley: I think that when people can go out and have some fun and get paid to do it. Not paid a lot, but still getting something out of it. I get a big rush out of it for sure.
ATV Scene: What do you think of the new Yamaha quad?
Smiley: I haven’t seen it yet, but I have seen pictures and it looks pretty interesting. I am definitely anxious about getting on it.
ATV Scene: What are you planning on riding for the 2004 season?
Smiley: It is hard to say right now. Yamaha just came out with that quad and Honda is coming out with one; so I really don’t know. I am looking for some factory involvement that is for sure. There are a lot of guys out here that deserve it, especially me. I mean I feel that I am well qualified for some help.
ATV Scene: What do you think about the factory involvement so far in this sport?
Smiley: You mean to tell me there is factory support in this sport? The GNCCs? (laughing) Well, it is nice to see people like Suzuki and Kawasaki here at least. It is good to see that they are starting to get some what involved, but they really need to take it to the next level.
ATV Scene: What is the worst thing about the sport?
Smiley: That there are guys here that are great athletes and no one is recognizing it. It is just sad that they can’t make any money at what they do best.
ATV Scene: Are you married?
Smiley: Yes. (Sorry ladies, taken)
ATV Scene: What tracks do you like best?
Smiley: I like the more technical tracks. The tighter and technical, yeah! Really though, I am pretty much right there on all of them.
ATV Scene: What do you see as the biggest risk in this sport?
Smiley: Going broke. Coming out here and getting hurt, it is a big risk. But you can’t come out here and race your best if you are going to worry about getting hurt. So I really don’t worry about it. I am more worried about if I get hurt, I can’t work.
ATV Scene: What are your parting words for the readers?
Smiley: Go out there and first and foremost, have fun. If you aren’t out there having fun, there is no point in being out there at all. If you want to put the work in it, then get out there and work for it.