Roger Richards Photos

Matt Guidera has won before but not like he did during the NHRA Gatornationals. The Loomis, California-based rider scored his second NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle championship title in as many years by stopping Andrew Hines in the final round.

“We ran great all weekend. The event started off slow for us. We ran a little faster than everyone else and I think we came around faster than the other teams. We had everyone covered but not by a whole lot. The field was close and showed parity today.”

Matt Guidera has won before but not like he did during the NHRA Gatornationals. The Loomis, California-based rider scored his second NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle championship title in as many years by stopping Andrew Hines in the final round.

“We ran great all weekend. The event started off slow for us. We ran a little faster than everyone else and I think we came around faster than the other teams. We had everyone covered but not by a whole lot. The field was close and showed parity today.”

Guidera nailed the top seeding by running the strongest in abbreviated qualifying. Friday’s sessions were washed out by rain.

“Today we showed our strengths today and to be honest, I don’t think these other teams did their homework during the off-season. There wasn’t a day that went by during the off-season that we didn’t work on our program. That effort showed today.”

Guidera defeated Hector Arana, Chris Rivas and Chip Ellis en route to the final round. The one opponent he’s happiest didn’t cross his path was himself.

“I’m so happy I didn’t beat myself,” Guidera said. “That would have been bad to cover the field the way we did and do something like red-light in the first round or something. I knew I was going to have to ride hard because the final eight bikes were all tough.”

Consider the competition for Guidera. He had two Screamin’ Eagle Harleys, the defending national champion and a quick Suzuki.

“There were a lot of heavy-hitters and I was starting to talk to myself saying – ‘Matt don’t beat yourself,” Guidera admitted. “I kept saying that to myself all day. The team kept the tune-up there all day long.”

Don’t think the competition wasn’t hoping for a sneak peek at Guidera’s bike.

“They would have loved to,” Guidera said. “But that wouldn’t have been fair. They don’t let me come over and look at their bikes. We kept them out all day.”

The week prior to the NHRA Gatornationals featured testing in Valdosta, Georgia. During this event, the Vance & Hines team reeled off the quickest run in the history of the class. Did this shot leave Guidera concerned?

“Heck yeah I was,” Guidera said. “I know what we have. I work with my team every day. We turned a corner last year. We couldn’t keep the tune-up for more than two runs. I saw their runs and questions whether I could compete with that. You didn’t know if they were showing all they had. Maybe we did, maybe we didn’t.

“After Saturday I knew we would be competitive. These weren’t stellar conditions.”

DIFFERENT SCENARIO

Guidera won his first national event title last fall in Reading, Pa., during the rain-delayed NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals which finished on Wednesday.

“There’s a lot more pressure when you’re racing in front of 20,000 people,” Guidera said. “I have to keep myself pumped up. The bike was just flawless all day long.”

 

 

THOSE “PISSED OFF BIRDS” 

In this politically-driven world of drag racing, Guidera knew his victory angered his final round opponent.
The most impressive part of his triumph, Guidera said, he hasn’t been on his bike since January 15.

“Today couldn’t have gone any better,” Guidera said.

The competition had better beware, Guidera is gunning for everyone.

“They are going to be picking up scraps,” Guidera said. “Those guys are going to come on strong and swinging hard. Those are gonna be some pissed off birds. They are pissed off. I can tell you that right now.”