Scholarship for outstanding motor racing success

He competed at Manfeild Raceway, near Palmerston North, against other finalists from 25 – 26 May. This prestigious award is worth $70,000 for the year. Matthew was selected on his ability to drive the fastest lap and also his presentation skills on camera. The sixteen year old will be driving a Formula First car in the upcoming Winter and Summer series and in 2020 will travel to Dallas, Texas in the USA to test for a Formula 4 Drive.

This scholarship has launched the careers of New Zealand motorsport drivers including Shane Van Gisbergen, Earl Bamber, Nick Cassidy and Liam Lawson. Matthew hopes to emulate these drivers.  

After gaining a dispensation for his age to race in an adult class, his racing career so far has seen him compete at Western Springs in a F2 Midget and also Speedway New Zealand in which he won a championship in his first year. He was nominated for Competitor of the Year for Speedway New Zealand this year which is an impressive achievement as he is also the youngest in Speedway history to win a feature race at the age of fifteen.