{
  "version": 1,
  "type": "person",
  "url": "/about/the-team/matt-speakman/",
  "title": "Matt Speakman",
  "description": "",
  "fields": [
    {
      "name": "role",
      "label": "Role",
      "value": "N2C Presenter and Athlete"
    },
    {
      "name": "image",
      "label": "Photo",
      "value": {
        "url": "/about/the-team/matt-speakman/matt-speakman.webp",
        "alt": "Matt Speakman"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "text",
      "label": "Bio",
      "value": "<p>Matt Speakman was 26 when he was hit by a drunk driver whilst riding his motorbike in 1993.</p>\n<p>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.</p>\n<p>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.</p>\n<p>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.</p>\n<p>He is also training in a K1 Kayak and working hard to qualify for a spot on the Australian Paralympic Team.</p>"
    }
  ],
  "sections": []
}