HOBBIES/INTERESTS:
RUGBY LEAGUE, BASKETBALL
FAVOURITE FOOD:
HOT CHIPS
FAVOURITE BAND/MUSIC/SONG:
ROCK
FAVOURITE COLOUR:
BLUE
LIKES:
PLAYING PLAYSTATION, RIDING BIKES
DISLIKES:
MAKING BED AND CLEANING ROOM, HOMEWORK.
PETS:
CAVALIER KING CHARLES (SAM)
BEST THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED:
WINNING THREE AUSTRALIAN TITLES ON ONE DAY.
WORST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED:
FALLING OFF MY 85 AT TAREE WHILE WINNING AN AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP.
SPORTING HERO:
JASON CRUMP, CASEY STONER, CHRIS VERMUELAN
AMBITION:
TO MAKE A LIVING OUT OF RACING AND BE WORLD CHAMPION.
Matthew followed the family tradition of racing motorbikes and started riding at the age of 6 on a 50cc pee wee on dirt track. He progressed onto a 65cc 2-stroke and 80cc 4-stroke at 7 years of age and won his first Australian championship in the 65cc 7-u9 class in 2005.
In 2006 and turning 9, Matthew was then old enough to compete in three classes – 65cc, 85cc 2-strokes and 80cc 4-stroke on dirt track and long track. It was at this time he also took up junior speedway. He finished 2nd on the 80cc 4-stroke in the Australian Dirt Track Championships at Taree and 3rd in the 65cc class at the Australian Long Track Championships at Townsville.
In 2006 Matthew had the best year in his racing career so far, winning 3 Australian Long Track Championships (the first to win 3 junior Aussies in one day on dirt since Casey Stoner) and placing two seconds and a third in the Australian Dirt Track Championships. He finished on the podium in every State, National and Open meeting he competed in in 2006.
During his dirt racing, Matthew has won four Australian Championships, ten State Championships and finished on the podium in seven State Championships and five Australian Championships.
2007 saw a very different turn for the dirt orientated rider. After being told about this new road race concept and watching the Metrakit bikes at Broadford, Matthew decided he wanted to “have a go”. He did his training and received his 70cc Metrakit in May and is excitedly looking forward to the new challenge ahead. However, he will continue to compete on the dirt and give the tar his very best.
Matthews Sponsors: Auto Pro, Motul, Western Motors and Honda, Biketek, West Wyalong Signs, Dave Norris Tuning, Paul Caslick Rider Training, Bills Pipes and Phil Tomlin Racing Products. |
