Matt Greenwood settling into college life, as his date with Britcar destiny beckons 12.11.2018: The last few months have been somewhat of a whirlwind for 16-year-old Matt Greenwood, who not only is on the brink of becoming the youngest-ever Britcar champion, but he has enrolled at the MSA Academy.

The last few months have been somewhat of a whirlwind for 16-year-old Matt Greenwood, who not only is on the brink of becoming the youngest-ever Britcar champion, but he has enrolled at the MSA Academy.
 


Based in Loughborough, Matt is travelling down the pathway that will improve his skills further and allow him to maximise his performance. After graduating, he will leave with qualifications to the equivalent of three BTEC diplomas; immediately, though, he’s focusing on settling in and getting used to doing his own laundry!
 


He said: “It’s been a great experience so far; I’ve met some nice and interesting people, while Loughborough is a lovely place to be. It’s certainly been different, in as much as I have to do my own cooking, cleaning and washing!”
 


When asked if he puts his new skills to the test when he returns to the family home in York, he admitted he hadn’t yet but that time might be coming in the near future: “My parents are using persuasion tactics to get me home more often. They say ‘if you come home, we’ll make you a Sunday roast and do your washing!’”
 


While each day of the week’s timetable varies, Matt revealed one opportunity coming up at the academy that has really sparked his interest: “I am excited for the trip to Silverstone, where my classmates and I will visit the Porsche Human Performance Centre. The point of the trip is for experts to analyse our physical fitness levels and help improve them.
 


“As someone that loves getting in the gym and pushing myself, this is something I can’t wait to get stuck into.”
 


Learning among a class of race drivers means everyone has something in common, but Matt is in a league of his own when it comes to fighting for championships. He’s almost modest when talking about becoming a champion in his first season of senior motor racing: “My fellow students are aware, but they all have their own battles and championships to focus on; however, they’re all supportive and will be cheering me on when we get to Brands Hatch.”
 


Brands Hatch is the setting for the concluding chapter of the 2018 Britcar Dunlop Endurance Championship, and while he has been able to juggle his studies, he admits that it’s been difficult to focus on anything other than clinching the title – is he nervous?
 


“Of course; it’s going to be an emotional weekend for everyone, from myself and my family, to the team and my sponsors, all of whom will be watching myself and my team-mate, Sarah.
 


“I never thought I’d be in this position; I thought we could target wins and push hard, but I never dreamed of fighting for the championship. We’ve been at the front for such a long time now, so to lose it in the final round would be heartbreaking, but we’re all ready for one last push.”
 


Matt takes on the night race at Brands Hatch between the weekend of Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November, knowing that a double podium will secure him the title.
 
 


 Gary Barak at Chicane also photos