Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Matt LaPaglia and I'm the general manager at Trac Dynamics. How long have you worked at Trac
Dynamics and what is it?
I've been with Trac for almost 10 years now. I started working here when we were primarily a drag-racing fabrication shop. We specialized in motorcycle Pro Stock Drag Race chassis fabrication. Somewhere around 2002 we shifted over to the custom sportbike market when we introduced the 240 wide-tire kit. That's when things really changed and the custom building really took off.
What do you think the next trend in streetbikes is going to be?
Well, I don't think the current trend is quite over yet but things are going to be more performance driven...stay tuned.
Stock/240/300/360: what's your favorite size and why?
Stock is best for me since I roadrace, but I really like the 240 for the street because you can actually ride it and it doesn't take away performance. Not to mention they look awesome!
Run us through a typical day for you.
There isn't really anything typical about my day. It usually starts around 7 a.m. answering e-mails, then I get the CNC mill set up. Then the phone starts ringing. In between phone calls I deal with R&D, CAD design, production, marketing, advertising and I even get to work with the magazine guys-I pretty much do it all.
What is the best trick you've ever performed in a rental car?
Returned it in one piece-must have been a short weekend.
What is the best $40 you've ever spent?
Pantera concert at the Santa Monica Civic in 1994.
What's the fastest you've been on two wheels, and what bike was it on?
About 170 mph on my 2005 GSX-R1000 at Willow Springs Raceway.
What are you riding presently?
A 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000.
What person do you most admire?
Well, this will get me the cheesiest man alive award but I have to say my wife. She puts up with all of my crap!
What would have been your alternate career?
Rock star or movie star.
Hard alcohol, beer, shots or wine?
Yes please!
What's in the CD player at the moment?
"Over the Under" by Down. I highly recommend picking it up.
If you could have only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Any Italian food.
What's your favorite bike of all time?
My old 1992 Suzuki GSX-R750.
What is the worst pickup line you have ever used?
When I introduced myself as my sisters' sister. I was trying to say my sisters' brother.
Did it work?
We've been married for almost 10 years now.
What is the cheesiest song you know all the words to?
Grandmaster Flash's "White Lines."
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I'd want to be able to travel in time. That way I could see all the mistakes I'm going to make then go back and not do them.