by: Jared Bolton
Tuesday, December 23, 2014 | 3:50 PM
Matt Pierce had a stellar 2015 season not only coming away with the Vet-A (28+) class, but also snagging Overall Amateur honors in the process. On top of all this, he helped contribute to the success of several other top amateur riders by helping them with their machines. We caught up with Matt to find out more.
GNCCRacing.com: How's everything going today?
Matt Pierce: Going well! Staying very busy but that keeps things interesting.
So tell everyone a little about yourself.
I work a full-time job at 40 hours a week, workout 5 days a week at CrossFit 945, work on diesel trucks, build/work on quads, along with a couple dirt bikes here and there, and I first started racing back in 2004. So, like I said, staying busy. (laughs)
And you've definitely got a full plate with helping others out in addition to your own racing. Tell us about that.
Yeah, I’ve been helping Cody Collier for a few years now as his head mechanic. Now since the passing of GT Thunder’s Lazarus and Mary Ann Sommers I’ve taken on helping out several other racers with one family being the Glauda’s. I’m just trying to do my part to fill the void.
What's it like working with so many different people?
Difficult at times because each racer is different, but I had a good teacher (Laz) who helped me learn about keeping an open mind.
So you had a pretty great 2014 season, how did it go?
Yeah I had a great season for sure. I decided to go with the Vet A class in the 2014 season. I knew it would be tough racing against the legendary Todd Demaree. I had some pretty good battles with him and hope to do the same thing next season. He’s definitely tough competition but also a fun guy to race with.
Did you expect to have such a successful season?
I learned not to expect anything when it comes to racing, but I did put in the time and hard work keeping healthy and in shape while having no major bike break downs.
How did it feel to come away with the Vet-A class championship?
It definitely felt good to be able to finish better than a lot of other very talented riders in the class. I’d say it is a pretty great accomplishment.
And what about being the overall amateur champion, how’s that feel?
Almost unreal! There’s so many great racers out there. To be able to finish out the
season ahead of them feels great. I started the season out with that being a possibility, but it’s
just crazy to know that I achieved it.
Typically we see riders in classes like College A come away with those titles. What's it like to beat such fast guys for the honors when being considered to be one of the "old guys"?
It’s definitely tough to beat a lot of these young guns, but I was hoping my experience on the track would help me throughout the season. I feel like that was a big help in making it happen.
So what are your plans for 2015?
Well Jared, that’s a loaded question (laughs) To be 100% honest nothing is set in stone yet. Only thing for certain is I will be racing.
What do you hope to accomplish in 2015?
Well if I stay in the amateur ranks I’d like to get another class championship and
shoot for that amateur overall again. If I go to XC2 then I’d like to finish within the top 5 of the class and have some podium finishes.
What about beyond 2015? What do you hope to accomplish down the road?
I just take one season at a time. One thing is for sure, I don’t want to be out of the racing scene, so whether I am helping other fellow racers or racing myself I will be there.
Alright, before we wrap this up, who would you like to thank?
I’d first like the thank my girlfriend Jessica Dodson for all her help with getting bikes loaded, gear ready, everything packed, cleaning air filters, washing mine and everyone else’s quads after the races, working on bikes, pushing me in the gym, pitting me, and being there to cheer me on and support me. Our dog Steve who is the best and there every race. Next I’d like to thank her dad, Terry Dodson, for all this help on my bikes when I need him, other people’s quads, hauling my quad to the races, and pitting me. Also my girlfriend’s family being there every race cheering me on. My family being behind me supporting me from home. Collier family/Camp Lazy, Fast Traxx Racing family, HLM crew, Matt Hannah and family, GT Thunder, Precision, Moose Racing, Pro Graph-X, 5 C and L Companies, Maxxis, X Country Photos, BNR, Outdoor Adventures, Greg’s ATV, Custom Axis, CrossFit 945, Team Woodhead, McGill Mafia, WHR, Wolf Pack 341, Ryan Smith from BNR for stepping up when everyone needed him, and Laz Sommers for everything he taught me for on and off the track.