After taking the checkered flag and winning the Los Angeles Kart Championship, Matt Pinto drives home in a Mazda MX-5 Convertible. Not too surprising! But what is surprising is how fast he's established himself as a winner on the circuit.
Matt's story covers a lot of ground in a brief period of driving for his race team. His rise to the podium happened at a blistering pace, much like his lap times, at race-sanctioned tracks.
HRT Driver Development and Race Team Owners Callie and Kyle Hayner recognized his talent early on. The Hayner's have a long racing history, including Kyle's dad, Stuart Hayner, a professional race car driver for the factory at General Motors. Naturally, Kyle got the exposure and passion early in life. Callie has an automotive background including working with manufacturers. Additionally, it was on the off-road Jeep tracks that she formed her competitive spirit, at a young age. They both are currently competitive drivers in their own right. HRT Driver Development was born in Orange, CA., shortly after the two married.
Driver, Matt Pinto, met the Hayner's when he volunteered around the shop to learn about the sport. He was no average newbie however. Matt had a plan. And the plan worked! Many of you may have turned laps at K1 Speed. Matt had mastered driving at this entry-level venue and was serving as an instructor before persistently showing up at the HRT shop and asking, "How he could help"? Following a few weeks of volunteering to run errands and provide support work, Kyle gave Matt a Kart to take apart and put back together. Soon, he was doing some wrenching and quickly became a reliable mechanic around the performance-based business. It was only a matter of time until Callie, who tends to the business' financial needs, said to Matt, "It's time to put you on our payroll!"
The transition from wrenching to driving a Kart was nearly immediate. In his first race with a HRT vehicle, Matt qualified 3rd in an experienced field of 15 at The SoCal Chill Challenge. The Hayner's knew they had something special in Matt's young, yet impressive talent. Not long after that, the 21-year-old showed incredible skills at the prestigious SKUSA / Super Karts annual race. Drivers totaling 700-800 in number enter from 32 Countries worldwide. Matt's class had 96 entries, half didn't qualify for the main event, and Matt finished the race 29th in his class. This was practically unheard of for someone's first year competing at this level.
"Their support and belief in me have been instrumental. We could not have accomplished this Championship without that trust and teamwork!"
Matt quickly credits the Hayner Racing Team for his early success in the sport and if you ever meet his parents, you'll understand that the support doesn't stop there. Matt was raised with a strong work ethic and belief in pursuing dreams. He quickly points out, "Every Formula 1 champion driver for the past four years got their start in Kart Racing". The sport is accessible from a financial standpoint, and enthusiasts like HRT Driver Development offer newcomers and veterans multiple ways to explore and grow their talents on and off the tracks.
Matt purchased his 2023 Miata (shown) at Tustin Mazda and would like you to know how knowledgeable and helpful Chance Assue was, in the process.
“The sleek design, soul red, and Brembo package hooked me, and the test drive sealed the deal; I felt I was one with the road."
Matt wanted a particular trim with the Brembo Brakes package and Soul Red metallic paint. While not commonly in inventory, our dealerships had one coming in, and Matt put his name on it. When asked why a Mazda MX-5 Miata? Matt stated, among other things, "I loved the look, and once I drove it, I knew!"
Patterson Autos is extremely proud to play a small part in supporting HRT and Matt Pinto! You can catch races starting up again in February by going to Race Schedule here.
If you plan to visit them in Orange, CA, allow time for lunch! Two of the team's favorite places are close by: Blue Agave for South Western Grille and Tutto Fresco, Orange for some Fresh Italian.
You can look at our Miata inventory at either dealership here: Tustin Mazda and Huntington Beach Mazda. Come on in. If it's racing you're interested in, we'll point you to HRT, where Owner Kyle Hayner, ran in the Mazda series and along with Callie, can coach and counsel on the various paths to guide you to faster lap times in whatever class you're interested in running. Soon, you'll be pushing it deep into the corners, on the fastest line, setting up at the apex, and catching inertia down the back straight like a pro! Or maybe just simply enjoying driving in a way you never imagined possible!
