Matt Speakman

Matt Speakman was 26 when he was hit by a drunk driver whilst riding his motorbike in 1993.

A serious spinal cord injury resulted in paraplegia and he was told he would never walk again. Devastating especially given Matt was a motor sports competitor. Even more so as on the morning of the accident Matt had signed a deal to compete in the 1993 Australian 600 Super Sport (motorcycle road racing) Championship.

Since then Matt has competed in several Motorsport categories and in 2013 became the first person in the world with a major disability to compete in the Porsche one-make GT3 Cup Challenge series using custom designed hand controls developed by McElrea Racing. He has also competed extensively in a purpose built Toyota Celica in the QLD 1600cc Improved Production series.

Matt has also been a member of the Australian Paralympics Alpine Ski team, competed in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and acts as an Ambassador for Spinal Cure Australia.

He is also training in a K1 Kayak and working hard to qualify for a spot on the Australian Paralympic Team.