Big, big high five for making the jump to Ex. Yes people petition down and stay in Am, frequently. I can rattle off a not-short list of people you probably know. In the old days under Kevin they'd let you do it once without much question for the most part, but they would not let you do it again. Every single person I tried to talk out of staying in Am but did it anyway, regretted it. All of them. People get so hung up on winning, and yeah winning is cool but but if that was what made you an expert rider, they'd make bumps based on how many wins you had. My entire career I never had a single race win, and that's in spite of actually taking home two Am class championships. Riding with faster riders will make you faster, as you've clearly already experienced. Feeling like you're out of your comfort zone is good, that's how you push yourself and learn. Figuring out those suspension demons you're chasing will make a huge difference as well. So here are your words of encouragement from a crusty old retiree. YES, you DID earn this. YES, you ARE capable. YES, you CAN do it. Try not to let that ego get in the way too much, have fun, and MF'in SEND IT. 🤪 White plates look way better anyway. 😁

Go Matt! Just take it as it comes. Better get started on that motor, it isn’t going to take itself apart. It’s not a Harley, after all. ;)

I know video-making is a time consuming and arduous task, but maybe consider filming some of your engine project for us. You did a really good job on that 650 valve clearance video, gave me the confidence to do it on my own bike.

Second the disdain for winter

congrats on the white plates! it used to take quite a bit of points and/or a championship. but the good news is you'll have better races. and backmarker experts are slower than you think. last is a good place to be. you can steal speed off of people in front of you. you can fire that engine up on the bench without shoving it into the bike.

Being last in MotoGP is better than winning every single novice race of the season. Expert will be good, although the jump will be off-putting (I've never done a track day and some mates are pushing me to start, so I see where you're coming from). Actually, what would you say to someone that's nervous or unsure about starting track riding ? (Then repeat that to yourself). Keep it up buttercup 😂

I've said this once, I'm gonna keep saying it to you. You'll definitely not be the slowest expert and you definitely deserve the move to white plates. I think you're definitely going to surprise yourself and others man.

Congrats Matt! Excited to see your progress, what a mess with your old engine though that would of really bummed me out, but glad you figured it out. Maybe you can borrow a 660 and do some laps on it. I'm still working on getting the track fairings on, and my last trackday my bolt for my clutch lever decided that it just wanted to not be a part of the bike anymore. 🤣

You can definitely rebuild it yourself