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.