Let's meet... Matt Crowe

Kart Number: 22

Hometown: Christchurch

Chassis/Engine: Arrow AX9-Rotax Max

The late Dave Crowe was a rare breed of racer equally at home on two and four wheels. Having started a career in Scrambles (the precursor to Motocross) in the late 1950s, a move to four wheels (and boats!) followed before returning to two wheels on a Solo bike, thus bookending a forty plus year career.

As they say, The apple never falls far from the tree, and it should be no surprise that youngest son Matt followed the same path. Growing up around Ruapuna Speedway, it all began as a junior Speedway rider under the tutelage of Ronnie Moore. A brief spell in the senior ranks followed before injuries brought about the end of his days on two wheels. A return to the dirt as a swinger with Sidecar racer Paul Anderson would follow, but upon realising that three wheels was in fact a riskier proposition than two, he'd walk away after less than 18 months.

Marriage and a young family would soon take precedent, but when assessing the options of taking on a project car, or going racing again with the then newly established Speedway Karts group, the decision was a no-brainer!

From the outset, Crowe proved to be a contender in the A-Grade ranks with a second place at the Inaugural Speedway Karts race meeting at Moore Park, followed by a fourth place run at the follow up event - after leading all but the final lap. His finest moment perhaps came at the recent Autumn Dust-Off event, where after falling to the rear in the opening lap, picked off the field one-by-one, fighting his way back to second at the chequers in the 15 lap Main event. Getting an overall win is no doubt unfinished business. But if anything, the Christchurch based Tiling contractor is happy just to get as many laps as he can, racing with a great bunch of people. Away from the track, Crowe is an active member of the Speedway Karts Committee, and played a large part in getting the class on the roster during their recent visit to Westport.

Team Crowe is usually the most vocal on the bank, with wife Laura, and children Jade, Hudson and Leo easy to spot in their bright Yellow t-shirts as they cheer on Dad. In the pits, it's not uncommon to see Ben lending a hand, with racing for the two Crowe boys being largely a communal effort. Matt is thankful for the support of his family, as well as Team Crowe Tiling, and every one of his extended network that has helped him along the way.

Matt's words of wisdom: "Fast and Fun couldn't be any easier, with a team behind ya!"