Can you tell us about how you came to be racing in the PA in 2015 - the team, the car, etc....
First off, I am firm believer that if you direct your energy towards something you want and stay focused actually WORKING on it it just might happen. If you only wish for something to happen without the effort its just a dream, which are nice to have as well of course. My passions are 1950’s Porsche cars and this historic race is how Porsche established it’s name in the racing community, hence their iconic model name “Carrera”. I have day dreamed for years while looking at old photos of the race from 1950-1954, where it was ended because of the amount of lives lost due to so many accidents. The photos made an impact on me, seeing the cars I lust for racing and being used as they were attended to be used, for driving. There is obviously a lot of historic connection for me and I wanted to learn more about what this race truly entailed and feel the essence of it. This race was resurrected in 1998 as a historic event which amazingly enough is still going on today which I am driving in for the first time in October 2015.
How did I get this opportunity? Holy crap, I don’t know! I went after it! I got involved, made my presence and showed team enthusiasm in a helpful manner. Four years ago in 2012 I expressed that I wanted to help a team as part of their pit crew and it didn’t end up happening for me that year. 2013 a member of a team knew I had wanted to be there the previous year and asked if I wanted to be a part of their team’s pit crew and take on the demanding responsibility of driving the support truck while towing the car trailer. This is a 7 day race over 2,000 miles through Mexico, its long hours for the pit crew, you sometimes work all night prepping/fixing the car and drive all day setting up the pit stop or working to fix anything else that will go wrong. It’s intense, not many people can handle the responsibilities that take place, I am a sick person though so I thoroughly enjoyed all of it! And every day something stressful happens, its inevitable in a race like this and Mexico will chew you up and spit you out if you let it. There is no way for me to truly describe what happens during the week, it’s just intense. We had our share of problems, we had some major repairs to handle and working in random parking lots in the direct sun is no joke. Towing a trailer through small cities and also Mexico city is no joke, but I loved it and we fixed our car and we finished the race. “We”, being the car builder and I, I had never met him prior and he was astonished and thankful that I pulled through. So through this experience you develop a true friendship, you see each other at the worst times and the best times, its dramatic. After the race was over he said to me, “Matt, I’m going to build you car and you’re going to race it” And I thought, “yeah right dude, but if you do I wont say no”. After that years race I was fortunate enough to drive our race car back to the town it was headed too, I loved being behind the wheel of it, it felt beyond good, I became obsessed immediately. At that moment I knew, someday I am going to drive in this race, I wanted it. So That is how it started to take place for me to eventually be a driver.
The next year 2014, October finally rolled around and the promise of me being able to drive 2015 was still an open conversation so I decided to take it seriously and this year to view the actual race and see what happens out there on course. I went as Media with the help of a friend Christine Rotolo Stevenson whose husband is a veteran driver in the race and she made sure I was granted full access to the course - she came through for me. That is the thing, if you’re cool, you show your respect and make yourself a positive part of the race its like a large endearing international family and you will be taken care of. So being an amateur Photographer I was excited on many levels, so much to capture and experience. I spent 7 days with a group of wild and dedicated Media people, we stuck together and worked at taking in as much as possible. This in itself is another family of the family, too much for words. Seeing the race first hand was intimidating and
the amount of struggle that the drivers experience behind scenes is overwhelming to witness first hand. The amount of respect I have for these men and women is immense, you gotta be nuts to want to do this!
So after the 2014 Carrera, Frank Oliveto and his son Tony started building a new car which I was promised the drivers seat.. And he did. He found a 1940 LaSalle and he built it from ground up which is ready to go for 2015. This is the oldest car that has been in the race since its revival, its exciting to be a part of that along with the race itself. My co-pilot is a veteran to La Carrera with 10 races under his belt. I’m overwhelmed talking about this stuff, it doesn't seem real most days. Franks generosity has been astonishing, it just goes to show that if you respect people they may in turn respect you too. Thanks Frank, let’s race.
Can you tell us about the 2015 race - the length, days, etc...
This is a 7 day race, traveling about 2,000 miles through central Mexico from the South to the North on closed back roads and through towns. This is a road race so the cars stay on paved surfaces, there are speed convoys or transit zones between the timed speed zones. This is were you're overall calculated times will determine an actual winner in the race. That’s 7 days fully suited up and harnessed in a tight cab caged in with roll bars sitting amongst a hot engine and noisy exhaust. 2,000 miles drenching with sweat and holding on tight to a steering wheel and shifter with your eyes glued to the road hoping you see a speed bump and pot hole before it rips out your suspension. But on a less dramatic side... Every day the race ends at a different city where there is a big production set up with an arch and lots of media and you receive a medal if you survived through the day no matter how well you preformed. The center of town will be closed down for the celebration and be packed with locals, Mexico has an awesome community full of enthusiasm towards the race. That in itself is a wild night, there is no slowing down in this race, its all go.
Can you tell us about the course?
The course, or lack there of is the attraction for me and I’m sure others too. There are sections of roads that are blocked off for the race and these are timed speed zones. Usually the roads are rural two lanes and winding along very steep terrain, that’s why this is considered such a dangerous event.
How are you training for the race?
Mentally and Physically, the preparation should not be taken too lightly. The amount of bodily endurance along with the right state of mind is crucial. The car builder Frank says I have a “sixth sense” behind the wheel, so I am really hoping to sharpen that, stay out of trouble or most importantly to not crash his car. I drive in “for fun” rallies that mimic this race but they are no where near what the La Carrera race actually is, although helpful nonetheless.. One of the more helpful ways to prepare is competitive go-karting. My friend and musician from Hella, Spencer Siem has been a great help getting me involved in go-karting, he’s a track driver and instructor as well. So yeah, I must workout, eat better, sleep better, party less, haha. And most importantly drive faster with more control so I don’t crash. Other wise, I can't wait to drive fast for a solid week and see everyone and be back amongst this big crazy family of Carrera freaks.
Do you have goals time wise going in? Projections of times you are trying to hit along the way.
That’s a great question and something I’m actually trying to stay away from..
This is my first race in the La Carrera so you can imagine the type of competitive pressure I must be feeling. So in order to counter act that pressure I’ve decided to have a different approach with my projections, finish the race. Finishing the race is the race, you can have the fastest times one day and the next be in the ditch and the race is over for you. It’s easy to get caught up in your times, I want to be caught up in my overall performance for keeping us in the race through the finish. Which means I need to work on my competitive nature.. It is important not to get too caught up in the competitiveness. That is where error happens for a novice like myself, poor judgement, anger, hostility can easily surface. We are all here in this race together to win so there is a high level of competitiveness as a result. Where do you draw the line? When is it that you are pushed over the edge? These are the types of goals I have, the goals to drive fast just enough and stay sane throughout and not let my team down, and that way we’ll have the best times ever.
