After suffering the loss of his Mother-In-Law from a “distracted driver” collision, Matt came to B.R.A.K.E.S. at the very beginning to help Doug get the driving school started and run the charity. He was a natural fit having spent his entire adult life working as a professional driver/instructor. Matt has instructed for the Bob Bondurant school, Skip Barber and Jim Russell Racing schools plus worked for various car manufacturers designing and managing their dynamic driving events. He has competed on road courses, ovals and dirt tracks winning 3 driver championships and has trained some of the biggest names in the sport: Dale Earnhardt Sr., Bill Elliott and Jeff Gordon to name a few.
"First, let me say a HUGE thank you for creating the "Put On The Brakes" program. Our youngest daughter, Tessa, went through the training held last year in Irvine, CA. Because I wasn’t working at the time, we couldn’t afford Master Drive (the program we’d put our older daughter through) and a friend recommended your program to us. We signed her up immediately and were so thankful that she had the training that made us comfortable with her driving. Last Friday, my other daughter (Aspen’s) car, a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, broke down and we learned that it needed thousands of dollars of work. She’s attending Bible Institute with plans on becoming a worship leader in church… and, again, money was an issue. But my husband said we should look at Kia because that’s the car he’d driven in the Brakes program and it was affordable and a good car. So, we looked and we bought! She’s the proud owner of a 2015 Kia Soul - she’s making the payments herself, too! If it hadn’t been for Kia’s support of the Brakes program - we wouldn’t be owners of a Kia - please let them know that their support of programs like yours has a tremendous impact on the next generation of drivers. Thanks so much for your help in ensuring our girls are safe when they drive. We so appreciate it! We know your story - but we can’t imagine your loss. Our hearts are full when we think of the significant contribution you’re making into the lives of families across America as a result of the loss of your boys. We pray for you and your family!"
-Judi Chimits (and Bob)
"We just finished the BRAKES course Sunday at Concord. I was absolutely blown away by the experience for myself and especially for my teen. My husband has been out of work for two years, so I had intended to take back the check to hold my seat, but in the end, gratefully gave it as a donation for this stupendous program. I am a writer and write a daily inspirational blog. Today I wrote about BRAKES, and thought you might like to see it. http://vickykaseorg.blogspot.com/2013/11/arising-from-grief.html Many thanks to all the fantastic volunteers and an exceptional program."
-Vicky
