Nothing was in it for Pro Stock racer Fernando Cuadra – no money, no publicity, no business deals. He just saw a need, knew he could be part of the solution, and had a heart that compelled him to reach out.
So when the bootmaker and master crafter of leather goods saw Angie Smith have her accident at St. Louis and display her tenacity in wanting to return to racing her Pro Stock Motorcycle, he stepped up to design a leather boot that would be sturdier and more protective. Moreover, he donated to the entire Pro Stock Motorcycle class, through Matt and Angie Smith, a stack of leather sheets to be used for customized padding in the racers’ riding leathers. He offered the leather sheets free of charge.
Matt Smith first wore the boots in Friday night’s qualifying session (Q2). He wore what he called “the normals” in Friday’s opening session. He said, “as long as I feel comfortable with them, I’ll wear them [Saturday]. It’s just the simple fact of getting used to them.”
He wore them in both Saturday sessions. “And I really like them,” he said.
Cuadra said he was impressed that the Smiths “listened to us” when he approached them, for “not everybody listens.”
As for the soft, pliable sheets of leather intended to added protection, to be sewn inside riding leathers (racers’ unforms), Cuadra said the riders “need to convince themselves to use it.”
The Pro Stock racer said, “I give 100 percent with no other intention – just because. You give the best of you to somebody who deserves that. I have the abilities and skills to do that. If we build community, the business will come later. The first intention is to help somebody that needs it badly. That’s easy for me to do.”
What customarily would take three to four months to fashion and present to a customer took Cuadra and his staff just 72 hours between the Las Vegas race and this weekend’s season finale.
