“Black Rhino Performance Sponsored Athletes Kristen & Wayne Matlock Celebrate on the Podium Together”
El Cajon, CA, March 18, 2016- Black Rhino Performance sponsored athletes and married couple Kristen and Wayne Matlock celebrated on the podium together after finishing second in their respective Pro UTV classes during the Polaris RZR Mint 400, Round 3 of the Best in the Desert Championship. Wayne Matlock scored a runner-up finish in Pro Turbo while Kristen was second in the Pro Production Class, earning her second consecutive podium in just her third UTV race.
The Polaris RZR Mint 400, known for its challenging terrain, featured the same sand whoops, lakebeds, washes and sharp rocks it’s always been known for. This year’s race was unique in that it was run in the opposite direction than in years past. With plenty of moisture in the area, dust wasn’t an issue, but that didn’t reduce the challenge for the Matlocks in the 330-mile race.
Wayne Matlock ran a conservative strategy in the Pro Turbo, running the first two of three laps cautiously with an eye on driving hard on the final lap. Matlock fought through several mechanical issues on the final lap to score the second-place finish.
“We came out here to win, but considering our problems, it was a good day and it was nice to put Polaris up on the box,” said Wayne Matlock. “We went into this race with a different attitude. I wanted to take it easy on the first laps, see how it played out and then make a push. Starting the second lap, we were down 10 minutes from the leader. We pushed really hard on the second lap and by Pit A on our third lap we had the lead on corrected time by 30 seconds. Shortly after that, we suffered a clutch failure that led to a belt failure and ended up getting another flat tire coming into Pit B.”
Kristen Matlock started third after her standout performance in the last race and cruised to her second consecutive second-place finish.
“I took it easy on the first lap,” explained Kristen Matlock. “Then I picked up the pace. I was really concerned about breaking, so I took it a little slow. I can’t believe this. I’m so excited. My husband had a great race and finished second class and second overall. We both finished second in class, finished the Mint 400 and I’m super happy.”
Wayne Matlock was happier about Kristen’s finish than his own. “I’m more excited for her taking second than for me,” said Wayne Matlock. “This is just her second UTV race in BITD and her third UTV race period. Here she beat out 48 guys. She finished second in class to Justin Lambert and that guy rips. She’s done it twice in a row. The first time she did it, they might have thought it was a fluke. It’s not a fluke after the Mint 400.”
The Matlock’s will be back in action at the Baja 500. Both will be looking to tread that top step of the podium.
2016 Race Team Sponsors: Terabbit Racing, Matlock Racing, Polaris Industries, Polaris RZR, Maxxis Tires, Fox Racing Shox, DWT, Jimco Racing, Black Rhino, G-Fors Racing, Alba Racing, Coyne Powersports, NecksGen, Baja Designs, Rugged Radios, Factory UTV, Airdam Clutches, Fly Racing, Maxima Racing Oils, Uni Filter, CryoHeat, Motion Pro, IMS, Impact Racing, Monster Seal, Lone Star Racing and Copy Boy Printing.
