Vitals
- Career: 2004-Present
- DOB: 05/01/1986
- Height: 6' 0"
- Weight: 166 lbs.
- Birthplace: Daytona Beach, FL, United States
- Residence: Lake Helen, FL
- Team: TiLUBE Racing
- Team Manager:
- Mechanic:
#39Matt Goerke
Matt Goerke's Website
Bio
Professional Career
Matt Goerke made a brief professional appearance before he had completely graduated from the amateur ranks at the 2004 Southwick National, where he finished 13th, earning himself the Skoal Top Privateer Award. He returned the next weekend at Budds Creek with a repeat top-20 performance and was given the Skoal Top Privateer award yet again. In 2005, Matt made his full professional debut aboard a Star Racing Yamaha YZ250F, but his premier Supercross display in the East Coast Lites class fell short of expectations. He entered the ’05 outdoor season in the Lites class before moving up to the Motocross class, where he finished in 18th-place for the season.
Matt continued to represent Star Racing in 2006 and finished 18th in the Supercross Lites East Coast class, including two top-five rides. He came out swinging in 2007, finishing a career-best ninth overall in the East Coast Lites class, with podium finishes at both Atlanta and St. Louis. The 2007 AMA National Motocross Series brought ups and downs for Matt. He finished inside the top-10 in six motos and, although he failed to earn points in seven others, he was still able to achieve 14th overall. Matt signed with the MDK KTM Factory Lites Team for 2008 and charged his new ride to eleventh place in the East Coast Supercross Lites series. At the opening round of the ’08 Nationals, a sub-par first moto left Matt outside the top ten. By round four at High Point Raceway, Matt had moved up to ninth in points, but fell backward until he made a choice to move up to a 450 for the last two rounds. In his debut ride on a KTM 450 at Southwick, Matt bested many seasoned big-bike riders to finish fifth. Although a disappointing second moto left him with a score of thirteenth for the day. Matt confirmed that he is a new force to be reckoned with in the premier class.
Amateur Career
In 1990, four-year old Matt Goerke started stirring up the sands of Florida, which have been a breeding ground for many of our sport’s greats. Matt continued to strengthen his skills over the years, and by 2002 racked up more than a dozen Amateur National Championship titles. Later that year, he etched his name in the history books by capturing the ’02 AMA Loretta Lynn Amateur National Championship crown in the 105cc Supermini (12-15) class. Matt continued his winning streak in 2003 when he took home the 125cc (16-24) class title at the Lake Whitney Spring National. He persevered toward his dream of becoming a professional racer with the help of Amateur Suzuki. Matt’s amateur career culminated a high note when he nabbed the 250cc Open A/Pro Sport title at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, impressively leaving him with more than 24 national amateur titles.
Personal
Although Matt Goerke is a factory motocross racer, he is not vastly different than your average Floridian. When he is not racing, riding, training, or traveling, he enjoys wakeboarding, jet skiing, and spending time with his friends. He has called Florida his home for 22 years, but is expecting to be a part-time Californian by next year. Matt also has a younger brother, Kyle, who seems to be following in his fast footsteps. Alyssa Wald
Contributors: Alissa Gilligan , Bad Billy
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