ATV Source catches up with Matt "The Kangaroo Kid" Coulter at this year's 2000 AMA Maxxis Grand National ATV Short-Track races held at the Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, OH.

Matt Coulter First Class with all his fans.

The Source Staff was privileged to be able to meet and speak with Matt Coulter while he was here in the states.   Matt was back for a second attempt at breaking his own Guinness World Record at quad distance jumping.  Matt is a first class gentleman who extends his friendliness to all ages. We watched Matt sign hundreds of autographs, talk to everyone and anyone, and he allowed several of our younger fans the opportunity to meet him in his RV and received an autographed poster.  The Kangaroo Kid is the premier stunt rider for the sport of ATVing. His no fear attitude has allowed him to become the ATV distance jumping record holder.  

Matt's ride was this finely tuned KTM, Phillips framed, two-stroke 550cc Quad. We were told the Quad arrived just days before the event and Matt only had a couple of days to become familiar with it.

Saturday night Matt entertained the crowd with spectacular stunt riding. Including riding wheelies with 1, 2, 3, and all 4 of the Trophy Girls on the quad. During his stunt riding exhibition, the rear brakes of the KTM Quad locked up. Even with this mechanical malfunction, Matt was able to pull off wheelies with the Trophy Girls firmly planted on the quad.

As night fell over the speedway, the air temps also dropped to below normal. Not your average temps for this time of year. What was a finely turned quad during the day turned into a rich running bogging horse and had to be re-jetted just prior to Matt's record attempt.

As Matt geared up for the final event of the night, he proceeded to whip the crowd into a frenzy every time he made a speed run at the custom made wooden ramp. Calculations of minimum MPH to achieve this record breaking attempt was

70mph, but on previous practice speed runs from throughout the day Matt was only able to pull the mid 60's.  A gear change (sprocket) was made to increase top speed and his practice runs with this change allowed him to reach the upper 60's.  The crowd seemed to surround the speedway as it grew larger and larger as the big jump moment drew near.   The backstretch of the track became Matt's hand slapping, fist pumping, titty flashing arena as the crowd cheer the kid on. Did we say "Titty Flashing"? Sure did!  Matt and the rest of the crowd got an eye full of a pair. Later, after the jump, the same "Flasher" got them personally autographed. The picture is much too risky to post. Sorry!

Matt attempted to break the world ATV distance jumping record by launching his ATV not once, but twice to try and make the 200 foot mark. Though Matt came up short on both attempts (approximately 140’ and 145’), we applauded his efforts and were glad to see him land both jumps without any mishaps like last year. At last year’s ATV National, Coulter’s attempt ended in a horrifying crash "photo by Thom Veety of Action Photos".

Matt give the Source the "Thumbs Up"  just prior to his  record breaking attempts.

The first attempt was a little scary as the front of Matt's quad lifted just prior to landing. Matt was able to ride it out with a little grab bar riding. Feeling confident about the jump and wanting to break his own record, Matt felt confident that he could squeezed more distance on a second jump since his first was taken conservatively. After making a second jump with ease and deciding that he didn't want to push his luck.  Matt called it a night.

No records were broken, but more importantly Matt's attempts didn't end with a crash. Whew!

As a daredevil that he is, Matt will attempt a future world record jump in Las Vegas. ATV Source plans to be present and will provide our readers with in-depth coverage. Go Matt! We wish you well.

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