Matt has been racing in the Ultra4 4400 class since 2014 and is a solid exemplar of how Ultra4 is and always will be “a sport of the people” even at its most prestigious level. A sport where the everyman can line up with the titans of the sport and see who comes out the other end first.
Like many Ultra4 racers on the east coast, Matt cut his teeth racing the legendary Line Mountain series in PA during his rookie year. Towards the end of that same year, he decided to throw his hat in the ring at the pro level and enter his first Ultra4 race, the Sturgis Off Road Blowout in KY and narrowly missed making the main after a wild LCQ. This lit a fire and it hasn’t gone out since.
A racer who has always stayed true to his “grass roots”, he can pick up most parts for his race car at the local auto parts store still as his powertrain is comprised entirely of OEM pickup truck parts. He often jokes that his race car is just a “farm truck” with bypasses, something more square body than spaceship. His car was hand built on weeknights after work in a small shop outside of Rochester, NY and has been refined and developed over the years into a fairly “well sorted” and predictable car.
A focus on vehicle reliability, good suspension, a cool calm collected demeanor on the track, and an exorbitant amount of attention to detail before, during, and after the race have helped hone Matt’s race craft over the years. The outcome is an impressive finishing rate of 78% across his 37-race career. He has amassed numerous top 5’s at prestigious events such as Crandon, the Mint 400, and the Line Mountain 7 Miler, solidifying him as a well-rounded driver who certainly is not afraid of mud or trees, who can shine in both the desert and the rocks, and who also can scrap his way up to the front on a short course.
He would like to thank all the dedicated family and friends that have supported him over the years. First and foremost, his wife Gillian, who embraced the off-road lifestyle and has been behind him ever since they met in his early years of racing and his two young children, Gia and Matteo, who root for him and keep him in check out on the course. His brother Joe and longtime friend/ex-4400 racer Mike Abbatte have been with him since the beginning with Joe handling business in the right seat and Mike executing on everything from fabrication and race prep to running race ops and spotting. Friends and fellow racers in his local 4wd club, Finger Lakes 4x4, also have been instrumental in both the success and longevity of his racing career. Whether it be teaming up to make it to a race or coming together to make an “impossible” repair, these folks have shown up time and time again showcasing the grit and passion they have for off road racing and the off-road community. This gives Matt no choice but to keep on sharing that passion and making those priceless “campfire” stories.