Watch as Matt Gerald races his LiveRC buggy to the podium for the first time after life-changing injury [VIDEO]

0 Sept. 8, 2017, 1:45 p.m.

Main Photo: Watch as Matt Gerald races his LiveRC buggy to the podium for the first time after life-changing inj

By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

Race Report from Matt Gerald Racing:

The LiveRC.com/Matt Gerald Racing team arrived in Crandon for the 48th annual World Championship Off-Road races - the Super Bowl of Short course off road racing. Friday morning the team participated in the annual parade, where every race car lines Main Street and is filled with 1000's of race fans.

With the heavy schedule for the weekend the team decided to skip the 1.5 lap of practice due to the short turn around between the race. Matt started in the 5th starting position for the land rush start, which is similar to outdoor motocross. 20 cars line up and race down a 1/4 mile straight away and funnel into turn one. Matt had a decent start coming around turn one in the top 5. As the field made its way into turn two, one driver caused a big pile up and the 395 was collected.

Matt came from dead last and worked his way up into the top 7 passing several cars after the completion yellow. One mistake on the last lap unfortunately moved Matt back to 9th. A disappointing finish, but the team felt really good with the speed the car and driver showed coming from the back of the field.

(Matt Gerald pre-race interview during the live race broadcast.)

Saturday's race was a little nicer to Matt and his team. After a rain delay, the race started approximately at 6:00 PM. The race was also held on Crandon's short track due to fog and lack of light on the back stretch. Matt battled with several racers passing back and forth while settling into 2nd place. Matt made one charge on the leader but wasn't able to capitalize. On the last lap Matt over drove a corner and got sucked out of the cushion into the heavy mud and fell back, crossing the finish line in 3rd place. Overall this still felt like a win to the team after all the bad luck the last two seasons and to get back onto the podium was huge! The team did a lot of work to the car and engine program to get the 395 where it needed to be.

(Watch as the LiveRC buggy of Matt Gerald makes his way back to the podium for the first time since his life-changing injury.)

(An emotional podium interview as the Crandon crowd goes wild with cheers for Matt his accomplishment.)

The team would like to thank all our supporters and marketing partners:

LiveRC.com / LiveTime, Amsoil, SSI Decals, Stars Of Neenah, R&T Salvage, Fk Rodends, Mud Muncher, Hooker Harness seat belts, VP Racing Fuels/Remington Oil, Web Camshafts, Flying Dutchman Off-Road, Gerald Racing Engines