No Second Chance Driver and presenter Matt Speakman has made history by being the the first person in the world with paraplegia to compete in a Porsche GT3 Cup series.

Matt campaigned in the opening round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge in a car especially modified for him by McElrea Racing.

It was quite an induction”, said N2C Team Principal Andy McElrea. “He had done some testing but most of that time was spent sorting the final adjustments on the hand controls and his first race ever in a Porsche Cupcar was a mini endurance 40 lap race!!”

“He was under strict team orders to keep the car straight”, said Andy, “and to learn as much as he can about driving the car in his first outing. We think he did really well. He was fast and sensible at the same time and we can see plenty of potential there”.

“I am glad I’ve have spent so much time training in the Kayak lately”, said Matt. “This was allot more physical than I expected. I’m bloody exhausted”. “I’m very happy with the way things went, to be only a few seconds off the pace in my first race in a Porsche is quite a relief.

Most importantly when we reviewed the data with McElrea Racing Engineers we could see that all of the fundamentals were in place. Lines were correct, braking points were right, on and off the gas was in the right places. This was really good news for me, quite simply I just need to go faster in all areas, knowing that I have got all the basics right takes allot off my mind”.

Matt is looking to secure additional sponsorship in the lead-up to the next round so that he can campaign the full season in 2013.