Petaluma racer has a need for speed

Chad Matthias, a land surveyor by day and a race car driver on nights and weekends, scoots around the dirt track of the Petaluma Speedway in a “dwarf car.”|

Fourth generation Petaluman Chad Matthias has a need for speed.

Matthias, a land surveyor by day and a race car driver on nights and weekends, scoots around the dirt track of the Petaluma Speedway in a “dwarf car.” The cars are hand-built to five-eighths scale replicas of vintage 1920’s-to-1940’s era cars built with motorcycle engines.

Growing up around his hometown speedway, Matthias watched his uncle Jack Dempsey race the big models with his grandfather and he gradually became comfortable hanging out with racers and crews.

Obtaining an education, a job and a relationship diverted Matthias’ attention away from the track until 2012, when he became involved in the races again and bought his first dwarf car, a replica of a ’34 Ford sedan. He was drawn to the dwarf cars because of the camaraderie he saw, unlike some of the other forms of racing.

“The people, the drivers I spoke to, everyone is like a big family and I felt welcomed with open arms,” the 33-year-old said. “Dwarf car racing is easy-going, more fun than competitive.”

He’s gained recognition as the 2016 Petaluma Speedway Dwarf Car Track Champion, the 2015 Most Improved Driver and the 2013 Rookie of the Year. He said he enjoys the adrenaline and speed that comes with flying across the track.

“Running through life at speed Mach 10 with my head on fire, I love to know that I’m making ripples that will go on forever,” he said.

Aside from his home track, Matthias has also raced on tracks in Nevada, Placerville, Antioch and Marysville.

“Every track has its own characteristics,” he said. “The Petaluma track allows for a lot of fun.”

In addition to racing, Matthias has been surveying for over 10 years with F3, a 3-D laser scanning and land surveying company that launched in Petaluma but is currently located in Benicia.

He said he’s inspired by engineer James Mitchell, who he credits for his interest in surveying as a career. He also gains inspiration from his parents.

“My mom pushed me to improve myself, where my dad is a simple man who doesn’t take life for granted,” he said.

Despite immersing himself in dwarf car racing and his surveying work, Matthias said that his wife, who he met at Casa Grande High School, is most important in his life.

Matthias is also a board member of the Appaloosa Reining Horse Association and the vice-president of E Wa Tom Lih Kinh Appaloosa club and shows reining horses as a hobby.

He admitted that he also nurtures a secret talent.

“I bake with the best of them,” he said. “Cakes, tortes, coffee cake, breads, I love them all.”

Matthias described himself as “passionate, giving, humble, smart, hardworking, a team player and fun to the last drop.”

“Every day is a day to learn something, whether it’s about something, someone past or present and that includes yourself,” he said.

(Contact Lynn Schnitzer at argus@arguscourier.com)

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