FUTURE STARS OF RC: Matty Gonzo

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Tyler Hooks

0 Dec. 10, 2018, 9:05 a.m.

By Tyler Hooks
LiveRC.com

Future Stars of RC is a regular column on LiveRC where aspiring RC journalist Tyler Hooks has a conversation with fellow up-and-coming racers across the country, covering youth-friendly topics such as school subjects, watching TV, throwing huge whips and, of course, girls. 

It isn't super common to find a kid with some major speed who is also extremely charismatic. Matthew definitely fits the bill always making an effort to become a better driver or wrench while somehow simultaneously being a funny down to earth teenager. Check out our recent conversation after his KOC, IOCC, and Top Gun title wins. 

Name: Matty Gonzo (Matthew Gonzales)
Age:  17
Sponsors: Team Associated, Reedy Power, JConcepts, Team Magic Finder, TeamJoeyRacing, RC Speed Secrets, 1upRacingProducts, TeamKinwald, MIP, RRMW, Sticky Kicks RC.

TH: When did you first begin racing?
MG: 2010, all my friends were busy so I decided to find something to do.

TH: What is your biggest racing accomplishment?
MG: My biggest accomplishment has to be my TQ and Win at Top Gun this past year, stock racing is so much more competitive from the first year I won it, and I’m lovin the challenge.

TH: What is your worst racing failure?
MG: Stock Nats this past year, I showed up feeling confident with my cars, but the track conditions where odd and I wasn’t able to find a groove in 2wd all weekend long.

TH: Where do you attend school, and what is your goal for a future occupation?
MG: I plan to attend 2 years of Community collage and Go off to a UC.

TH: Do you have a girlfriend?
MG: Duh.

TH: What is your favorite class for school and racing?
MG: US History, and 4wd Mod Buggy, Some sick whips come out of that class lol.

TH: What do you think of the old saying “girls just get in the way of racing?”
MG: It ain’t true when they’re pushing you to go faster.

TH: What is your real dream car?
AC: 64 Impala, I wanna be flipping some switches.

TH: Huge whips, driving absolutely flat out or more calculated driving, smoother on the throttle?
MG: Huge whips, balls to the wall driving, that’s the way I was taught and it hasn’t changed yet.

TH: Action Sports or Conventional sports, what do you follow in your free time?
MG: Sports aren’t my thing, I just wrench, do homework, and call it a day.

TH: This interview comes after some excellent results at the IOCC and the Top Gun Event, how has the last couple of months been for you?
MG: The last couple months have been amazing! I’ve been working with Blake Champlin to help improve my carpet cars and is been working out really well, we were able to get a TQ and win at KOC, and a TQ and win at IOCC in stock truck! Then we head over to the dirt side where I do most of my setup, Austin P drove down and we tweaked some stuff on the 2wd and were able to get th TQ and win this past weekend, they’ve given me a lot of support these past few months and I greatly appreciate it. 

TH: Who did you look up to when you were an even younger racer, or who has been the biggest help to you as a driver?
MG: I looked up to Jorn Neumann, watching him drive 4wd was to watching God drive an R/C, I was always in awe when he hit the track. My biggest help at the start of this toy car venture was Tweb, he held a Kids Clinc at the track and I would go with my dad every morning. He helped me learn the basics of going around the track, then a couple years down the road I met Jim Hughes and he has been a huge help on and off the track with basic and advanced setup, he helped me reach the next level.

TH: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to a new up and coming racer?
MG: The biggest piece I can give to a Father and Son team is to take it easy, this is a hobby and for many of us we aren’t making money, have fun with it while you can, and when it starts getting serious take a step back and have some fun with it!! Toy cars are supposed to be fun not stressful!