Inspiring Matty’s driving ambition shows true BRIT
ELIZABETH RUSHTON
AN entrepreneur and kart driver who helps borough youngsters living with autism improve their confidence through motorsports has been back behind the wheel as part of an inspirational team as the motorsports season resumes post-lockdown.
Matty Street, of Bacup, is the CEO of Rochdale TeamKarting, the largest indoor all-tarmac track in Greater Manchester, at just 24 years old, and lives with autism himself.
After the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, he clinched two 3rd place positions in his first races of the year last Sunday (August 2) at the world famous Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent with Team BRIT, a competitive motor racing team consisting of disabled drivers. Team BRIT aims to
●● Matty Street, CEO of Rochdale TeamKarting, is preparing for the start of the new motorsports season with the all-disabled Team BRIT. be the first all-disabled team to race in Le Mans, and supports people with physical and psychological challenges in accessing motorsport through its Racing Academy.
Matty first got involved in karting at the age of 12, when he won a £30,000 scholarship to make his first moves in racing.
He said: “I was diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and Asperger’s when I was still at school and it was an absolute nightmare. At one point my attendance was probably about 60 per cent - I had very little self-belief.
“When I got the scholarship, it meant I would have to be out of school quite regularly to drive at that level. That time out really gave me a purpose to be engaged with school and some of my teachers related the lessons to motorsports to help me learn.”
His start in karting had a huge effect on him - having failed all his GCSEs before starting his competitive racing career, linking his learning to motorsports helped him understand and retain information better, and he achieved all A-C grades when he resat his exams.
He went on to study motorsport engineering and obtain a degree in motorsport management and logistics from Myerscough College in Preston.
Matty added: “Getting into karting was such a case of being in the right place at the right time, but it’s opened so many doors for me - I never had any intention of getting a degree but it’s something I’ve been able to achieve within the field.”
Matty began work at the Rochdale TeamKarting circuit while studying and quickly moved through the ranks, becoming assistant manager and then executive manager at the age of 19.
In July 2017 he raised enough investment to buy out the business and become CEO. It is now the UK’s highest rated karting track and has won an award for being Autism Friendly - an initiative Matty has pursued in particular.
He said: “I have always tried to be as inclusive of autism as possible.
“I heard about some of the equipment Team BRIT were using to help people, like hoists to lift people out of cars and hand controls that could be used by double amputees. I started communicating with them about that and then eventually the opportunity came up to drive for them.”
He described his experience being back behind the wheel for the British Automobile Racing Club Car Championships on Sunday as ‘just amazing’, saying: “I had an amazing weekend at Brands Hatch with the team, with everyone putting in a great performance.”
He added: “An amazing strategy call from the team allowed all three Team BRIT cars on Sunday’s second to be running P2,P3,P4 after the pit stops. It led to a really interesting final few laps. Great fun!”
During lockdown, Matty has kept busy maintaining his karting business, and working with Team ‘Racing with Autism’, sponsored by Team BRIT, which supports young kart drivers with autism in entering competitive races.
He said: “It’s really cool that I’m able to bring some of our kids from Rochdale around the country to races and help them create their own journey with us.
“It’s a great confidence booster for them and for parents, and it’s a privilege for me to be on that ride.”
He added: “No one could have planned for what we would have to face this year, and I’ve had a lot of challenges, not only relating to racing, but also to sustaining my karting businesses which was hit badly by lockdown.
“The support I’ve received from the local community, the racing community and beyond has been incredible, and now I want to get back into the racing zone, joining my teammates and showing the world what we can do.
“Through TeamKarting, we’ve played a big role in promoting autism awareness and I am just thrilled to be on the same path with Team BRIT.
“The more people we can inspire to get involved and try something new and exciting, the better.”