Vintage News
‘SuperMatt’ Goede
by Scott J. Wakefield
Little Mayer, MN has a Superman in its midst but, due to his quiet demeanor, most residents most likely don’t even know it. If the five-time Vintage World Champion has anything that is obvious, it’s the fact is he’s super quiet and does all his talking on the racetrack. You’d think his neighbors would know who Matt Goede is, given all the pre-work, motor testing, late-night hot laps, etc. Matt actually grew up in even smaller New Germany, MN, almost equal distance between New Germany and Lester Prairie, MN in a swampy low area, with numerous little lakes, and wide-open spaces, beside the tracks set up at the home farm in New Germany. Matt’s victory is quite the accomplishment given the 53 tough competitors in 440 Super Mod Class for the Sunday Final, but also for the fact that Matt took a hard tumble into turn one a few years back, spending a fair amount of time in a Wisconsin hospital and the better part of a summer on crutches. With time all things heal, including any hesitation going into turn one at the iconic Eagle River Derby Track. Thursday’s qualifier started out with Matt really showing his strength in getting the holeshot and the sled hooking up well. Traction was a huge difference to the competition and a strong motor was just as impressive. During the Friday night run, which would result in the winner being in the front row at the Sunday Final, Matt’s holeshot and strong motor again made a multiple sled lead to take the checkered flag and pick up a nice check from Woody’s to boot. Saturday other entrants to this 440 Super Mod Class continued to jockey for position to try to compete with Matt for the Sunday Final. Sunday came with the 10-lap final, and Matt on the front row, but he got beat for the first time off the line by last year’s champion Curtis Peterson. It didn’t take long for Matt to settle in, and before long he had piloted his 1973 Polaris Starfire, even after multiple restarts, to earn his fifth Vintage World Championship. Matt Goede would like to thank all his sponsors and the “crew” for all the work to get him this championship. And all the folks back in Mayer, MN, might be a little more enlightened on who they have living in their midst. But then again, Matt Goede would probably prefer the quiet, even though the rest of us can’t keep our mouths shut talking about it! 20
Minnesota Snowmobiling
