Meet Matt Pinto, the Speedy Kart Champion!

Matt Pinto is not your average guy. He's a champion in kart racing, and he's only getting started. Imagine winning the Los Angeles Kart Championship and then driving home in a cool Mazda Miata. Sounds awesome, right?
Matt's story is like a rocket taking off. He went from being a regular guy to becoming a champion on the racetrack, and he did it super fast!

Now, let's talk about HRT Driver Development and the awesome team owners, Callie and Kyle Hayner. They saw Matt's talent right away. These guys know racing inside and out. Kyle's dad, Stuart Hayner, was even a professional race car driver at General Motors. Kyle got into racing when he was just a kid, and Callie has always been passionate about cars. She got her competitive spirit from off-road Jeep tracks. Both of them still race today.

Here's where Matt's journey really kicks into high gear. He started by volunteering at HRT's shop to learn about racing. But Matt wasn't just any beginner. He already knew how to drive well, thanks to his time at K1 Speed, where he even taught others how to drive. Matt didn't stop there. He kept showing up at the HRT shop and asked, "How can I help?" After a few weeks of helping out, Kyle gave Matt a kart to work on. Matt became an excellent mechanic and Callie said, "We should hire you!"

But Matt's story doesn't end there. He didn't just want to be a mechanic; he wanted to be a racer! So, he made the switch from fixing karts to driving them. And guess what? In his very first race with HRT, Matt finished 3rd out of 15 racers at The SoCal Chill Challenge. The Hayners knew they had something special in Matt. Not long after that, 21-year-old Matt showcased his incredible skills at the prestigious SKUSA/Super Karts annual race. Imagine this: there were 700-800 drivers from 32 countries in that race! Matt's class had 96 racers, and he finished an astonishing 29th in his class. That's almost unheard of for someone racing at this level for the first time!

Matt gives a lot of credit to the Hayner Racing Team for his success. They believed in him, and their support meant everything. If you ever meet Matt's parents, you'll see where he gets his work ethic and determination. Matt learned from his parents to work hard and chase his dreams. He also points out something exciting: "Every Formula 1 champion driver from the past four years started with kart racing." And the best part is, kart racing is affordable. Places like HRT Driver Development welcome both newcomers and experienced racers, offering lots of ways to explore and grow your racing skills, on and off the tracks.

Now, let's talk about Matt's cool car. He got himself a 2023 Miata from Chance Assue at Tustin Mazda, who was super helpful throughout the process. Matt fell in love with the car's sleek design, soul-red color, and the Brembo package. The test drive sealed the deal for him, making him feel like he was one with the road.

Patterson Autos is super proud to support HRT and Matt Pinto! And if you're eager to catch some thrilling races, they'll start up again in February. So, mark your calendars!
If you plan a visit, allow some time to grab some fantastic lunch near the HRT team. A couple favorites are Blue Agave for delicious South Western Grille and Tutto Fresco, Orange, for some mouthwatering Fresh Italian food.
You can check out the Miata cars at either dealership, Tustin Mazda and Huntington Beach Mazda. And if racing sparks your interest, HRT can guide you to become a better racer. Whether you dream of racing like a pro or just want to enjoy driving like never before, HRT can help you achieve your goals!

Resources:

www.tustinmazda.com
https://www.huntingtonbeachmazda.com
https://hrtdriver.com
https://lakc.org
https://www.k1speed.com/irvine-location.html