Matt Lee Interview
Rhonda Mims-Brown, May 2004

Tell me about your Parents, their names, their occupation and how they fit into your racing activities:

My Dad Francis Manages the Kart Team. My mother Patricia has mixed feelings about racing.

Tell me about your siblings and how they fit:

My brothers hate racing. Not sure why but they sure have no problems with racing video games. I think they may feel that it’s not for them because of the focus on racing as it relates to me. I’m so focused on the opportunities and where I hope to go in racing, they may feel that the focus wouldn’t be on them. Maybe they just really don’t like it. It is a bit of a shame because racing is such a family activity and it would be nice to have them participate.

Tell me a bit about school and your grades and other school activities you like:

School for me seems to be a necessary evil. I recognize the real importance of going to school but the time in school is time away from my passions. I am a B student so I do take it seriously but I also don’t take it so seriously that it becomes my only focus. Today it seems that school is a showcase for kids to be kids. It’s for the most part a kaleidoscope of people jockeying for attention. For me it’s a place I have to be but I’d much rather focus my attention on other activities like mountain biking. I belong to the Mountain Bike Club at school.

How do you feel about the importance of education in your life?

It is very important for success. I see that I have to have a solid education to be able to compete. With respect to racing, I know that some guys out there seem to be all about the wheel and can barely hold a conversation. I know that the well-spoken guys who can getup on the wheel are going to be the most successful. Education for me is so much more than the arithmetic and the course curriculum, it really is about individual growth. The guys who appreciate the opportunity to become better people are the ones who I think are going to be more successful. Whether it’s racing or some other professional career. So education for me is not just specific to the school. I thrive on getting more knowledge. Especially as it relates to my racing. For me I am being educated every time I step into the seat. If I didn’t look at it this way, I really think I would stagnate and never get better.

What’s your favorite web site?

Yahoo.com, F1.com

How long have you been racing Karts?

6 years

How old were you when you started and how did you get your start?

I was 8 years old when my dad and I first bought our Cadet Kart. We started really on a whim. We both wanted something to do together and we heard about karting, so I thought we’d give it a try. We took our first Cadet Kart out to the sandy and quite remote Westhampton Speedway. This track is really in need of some real attention but it was our first run. From the moment I sat in the kart I really had a good feeling. I think Karting is really a sport that either clicks or it doesn’t. For me I think I really knew this was something I wanted to do.

Who would you most want to clean your visor during a pit stop?

When it comes to cleaning my visor, there are a number of people I would love to see bending over the kart to wipe my glass. Jessica Simpson would be one that comes to mind. That would be tough to choose but Jessica would be just fine.

Chassis or Chassis’ you compete with:

Birel Q31, R-32, R-31

Engine(s) you compete with and engine builder:

TM JICA, Swedtech Honda, Hi Rev Yamaha and HPV.

List the series you are focusing on this season:

Manufacturers Cup WKA, Stars of Karting Snap-On Series.

Favorite Tracks:

Daytona, Jacksonville, FL

How would you describe your driving and sportsmanship style?

Clean and Aggressive. Clean because I’m young and I want the respect of my competitors. Talent rings a lot louder when you race clean. It’s also a ton more satisfying knowing that you waxed the field with out any dirty tactics. Aggressive because that’s all I know. I go as hard as the kart is capable. I’m lucky that I have good equipment but my style I think gets the most out of it. For me driving is like a dance…I’m in total control and I rarely am out of rhythm.

What are your favorite aspects about the sport of Karting?

Teamwork, like I mentioned earlier, the aspect of being able to work with a team of individuals and my dad to orchestrate the necessary elements to be able to compete is really very special. Concentration. Concentration is where I take over from the team. Once we have put all the elements in place and we know we are competitive, the necessity to have focus is key. I thrive on the opportunity to talk with myself. When the green flag drops it’s all about me and what I do for me to get to the checkers. That takes concentration. This is a very cerebral sport. You have to be lucky sometimes but I believe you have to be smart. That starts with being able to concentrate.

Favorite Movie and/or TV Show:

Bad Boy’s Two. Like the cars and the carnage.

Favorite Music:

Rap. I think this is because Rap is very expressive. They tell it how it is.

Favorite Vacation Activity/Sport?

Snow Mobiling, Jet Skis. If it goes fast I’m in.

Do you like or participate in any other sports?

Mountain Biking, Skiing.

Do you have any heroes?

Michael Schumacher. Not because Michael has won so much but because of his focus. I guess one wouldn’t happen without the other but I really am impressed with his longevity. He no doubt is one of the greatest drivers ever and the Ferrari equipment speaks for itself but for it’s really impressive he has been able to sustain the run. That’s what is amazing to me. The man is always focused and has such an innate sense of the environment he is within. Just impressive. A lot of people say boo to Michael because he’s that good. Kind of like when Jeff Gordon was at the top of his game but I think that’s just is the way it is. Americans love their heroes and when it gets to be a bit pervasive at how good they are we need a new hero and want some drama. But Michael, stone cold focus.

What would you consider a high point in your life and why?

Winning a National Title in WKA. We’ve been at this for 6 years now. I know that we have put a ton of time and energy into getting to the top. I want it. It’s very simple. I want to be a national champion.

Are you a Cart, IRL, NASCAR, F1 or etc. fan?

Cart and F1.

What’s your favorite gaming system? And your favorite game to play?

X Box, Play Station, Nintendo, PC, or other. Play Station 2 – Grand Tourismo 3, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2.

What do you like best about racing with your family?

My family is a great support system. We started this together and we are growing together. The success we have seen has been a team effort. I drive but without the support I would have the drive. I recognize that I am fortunate to have the opportunity. I don’t take that for granted. So when we succeed, it’s a shared success. Sport is really only sport. For me there is this wonderful balance with racing. We prepare together and strategize together and then there is the show. The show allows me to demonstrate what we’ve done together. That’s great. To come off and be holding the checker, that’s what we're all here for. When it happens it an affirmation of our ability to work together. On the flip side, when we are out of the points and things just plain went south it’s about regrouping and we do that together. Racing is a great balance. There’s the team and then there’s the drive. I thrive on the opportunity to show.

What do you like least about racing with your family?

My mom’s impatience.

Favorite Junk Food?

Rice Krispy Treats.

What’s the hardest road trip to a race you’ve made and what happened?

Do you have a race you consider to be your favorite race and why? The Stars Finale at Beaumont, California.

Do you have any pet peeves or things that particularly irritate you?

Cheap people and complainers.

What do you think could be done to improve our sport?

More coverage in magazines and on TV. It really is amazing that our sport is so big and we have so little media support. I mean mainstream media. Karting is an exciting sport and even the Speed Channel doesn’t support the sport. More corporate involvement would be great also. Think about this…Karting is all about families getting together wrenching with what they’ve got and we all go at it. Some guys are pulling the karts out of their station wagons. That’s commitment. Now if Tide Detergent can run on Ricky Cravens Chevy, why not become part of the real fabric of America. Sponsor the grass roots activities of people out there sweating to get to victory lane every weekend in the Karting communities. That to me would be really smart.

Do you have any goals in life?

To become a professional driver.