By Mike Haag | Raceday San Antonio
ENNIS, Texas – Six-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith celebrated his victory Sunday at the Texas NHRA FallNationals, but afterward expressed serious concerns about the condition of the shutdown area at Texas Motorplex, saying rough pavement created dangerous situations for riders traveling at more than 200 mph.
Smith, who defeated Richard Gadson in the final round for his fourth victory of the season, said he and other competitors encountered problems after crossing the finish line, with motorcycles becoming unstable and wobbling as riders attempted to slow down.
“The shutdown area is scary for us on motorcycles,” Smith said. “We had some close calls today. The track is seasoned, let’s say that. There are a lot of whoop-de-doos down there, almost like a motocross track. These bikes don’t have suspension, and when we hit those bumps at the speeds we’re running, the motorcycle can get out of control.”
Smith said he experienced one of his most frightening moments during the second round of eliminations, when his motorcycle became unstable after crossing the finish line. He said the situation was serious enough that he feared losing control.
“In the second round, I thought I was coming off the bike,” Smith said. “I thought I was done. I almost gave up on it, but I got into my tuck position and tried to ride it out.”
Smith said the rough surface makes slowing down particularly challenging because riders must concentrate on maintaining control while navigating uneven pavement. He said applying the brakes while crossing the bumps can make the motorcycle even more unstable.
“When you go through the finish line, you’re looking for that win light, but you’re also looking for those bumps so you don’t get on the brakes at the wrong time,” Smith said. “If you hit them while braking, it can make things even worse.”
Despite his concerns, Smith praised Texas Motorplex and the Meyer family for their commitment to the facility. He said he hopes improvements can be made to the shutdown area before the NHRA returns next season, particularly in the first 500 to 600 feet beyond the finish line.
“I don’t think it’ll take a lot to fix the problem,” Smith said. “We just need to get some of those bumps out of there, and I think we’ll be fine.”
Smith emphasized that his concerns are about rider safety rather than the performance of the racing surface itself. “Trust me, I don’t want to slow down,” he said. “I want to keep going faster and faster, but there’s a safety issue we need to address.”
