Interview and story by Chris Cumbo
Name: Matt Itamura
Age: 59
From: Escondido, CA
Class: 58 Expert
Number: 38G
When did you start racing?
“I started racing motocross in 1978 on a Suzuki RM125. I raced out of Marysville and Yuba City. I hung around with local pros and experts, like David Coupe’ who was a factory Maico rider and he began riding the MX Nationals in 1979 aboard also, a RM125.” (David Coupe’s first big win as a Pro came in 1980 when he won the ITT President’s GP Cup at Indian Dunes, CA. David’s win no doubt led to a team ride in 1981 with Maico USA alongside teammates Alan King, Carlos Serrano, and Eric Eaton.)
Matt was given the chance by his parents to try his hand to turn pro starting in the summer of ’81 while David was traveling the US in a box van with his mechanic Bob May riding the 250 National Series. Matt raced the local tracks including his favorite track, “E” Street in Marysville, CA. Matt rode with Chip Vanderford in District 36 (who is now racing with the OTHG Sierra chapter). He continued motocross races over the Summers on his quest to turn pro. The competition was fierce. Matt battled others in the intermediates and tried hard to enter into the expert class. Although Matt loved to race and ride, turning expert or pro was not in the cards. So, with the results of his races and not being able to enter into the expert class, Matt made the decision to go back to college and get his degree. He attended Chico State University in the mid-1980s, and ran the Chico State Cycling team for 3 years.
What did you do when you got out of college?
“I raced for the Spectrum/Specialized cycling team out of Sunnyvale, as a category 2 road racer.”
Matt had the opportunity to race against some of the best cyclists in the country in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Starting in 2001, Matt joined the Over The Hill Gang Sierra Chapter and also became the Race Director for the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) in the Northwest region for 3 years racing alongside Steve Parker (#800S from the Sierra Chapter). After a few years he decided to focus on modern motorcycles, sold his Macios and started buying KTMs.
In 2010 Matt raced against fellow Sierra chapter rider Randy Law at a local hometown track called Riverfront Park in Marysville, CA . Matt kept up with expert rider Law and was finally offered to be moved out of intermediates and on into the expert class. Matt won the overall award for the 2010 season in the 45 Expert class.
In 2016, Matt joined the OTHG South Chapter as a solid expert rider and earned the lowest number of his OTHG racing career of 19G and received a gang jacket. Matt noted that he likes riding with Scott Sligar, David Ryan, John Lombardo, Richard Young, Jesse Horne, Eric Gooselaw, Craig McCarley, Bill Slusser and Steve Piattoni. (Piattoni #262G is shown in a photo below alongside Matt from March 2021 at Perris Raceway during our South National)
As of April 2021 Matt holds a 10th place position in the overall points for the Over The Hill Gang South Chapter.
What are you going to do to start winning in the expert class?
“I am going to start riding my mountain bike and ride my road bike during the week, begin focused training and change my eating habits. These changes will increase my stamina this year…hopefully with these changes I can become more competitive in the 58 Expert class”
Pretty impressive past. Will be looking for you out there.
Looking good, Matt! It’s been a privilege to race with you over the years, my friend.
Great choice for rider of the month! Congratulations Matt, job well done.
Matt was willing and gave a great interview.
He has quite a past competing to get into the expert class and he never gave up.
He made it happen in the OTHG club. He is a solid rider . Also, #127 David Riley is shown in the lower photo along with #262 Steve Piattoni.
Hey Matt (a la mode) you’re killing it buddy!!!!!! Glad you made ROTM!!!!!!!