September 30 2015
Elmvale, Ontario – Formula 1200 driver Matt Garwood set a variety of goals for himself this past racing season. The first was to achieve his first-ever Formula 1200 win. The second was winning his first Formula 1200 Challenge Cup Series Championship title and the third was to test in a Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) car. In addition to accomplishing all these goals this season Garwood also faired quite well in a non-motorsport competition.
Garwood wrapped up his Millers Oils Formula 1200 season this past weekend running the #31 Automotive Business School of Canada car at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park where he finished fourth in all three extremely close races. He led a few times throughout the weekend and was just centimeters away from a podium finish in each race.
He faced many up and downs throughout the 2015 season but taking the top spot on the podium at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PIRC) was extra special; a Formula 1200 win has been a goal Garwood had been chasing for 3 years.
Last May, Garwood not only acted as CTCC driver Martin Crisp’s crew chief for a few races, the full-time student at the Automotive Business School of Canada got his first taste of being an official CTCC test driver at Shannonville Motorsport Park in Crisp’s #10 PowerStory.ca Mazda Miata.
Hovering at the top in 2015 Challenge Cup Series Championship points for most of the season the former 4-time Canadian Karting League Champion achieved his first ever Formula 1200 Challenge Cup Series Championship this past August.
“Knowing that we’ve finally got to this point as a team is one of the most rewarding things I have ever experienced. I am so thankful for everyone who has helped us to earn the championship win this year,” said Garwood.
To cap off a summer of firsts, Garwood was awarded the title of being the 2015-2016 “CNE Ambassador of the Fairs” at this year’s Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto. Proud of his family’s and communities rural and agricultural heritage Garwood became the second male CNE Ambassador to win the competition in the last 40 years.
A proud "Laps for Muscular Dystrophy" (Laps4MD) driver, Garwood has pledged to donate $1 for every lap he lead this season to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
“I must thank Crew Chief Bill Vallis for his expertise and support and offer my deepest appreciation to many others including; Sid Nye, Andrew Waring and Danielle Davies for all of their help and guidance throughout the season, as well as Ray and Katrina Carmody (Carmody Racing) for their incredible support and hospitality throughout the entire season,” said Garwood.
Garwood’s impressive list of partners he is proud to represent include; FEL (Franczak Enterprises Ltd.) Vallis Motor Sport, KarmaComa Studio, Core Evolution Fitness, the Automotive Business School of Canada, Driverseat Barrie, Athletes Brand and Autoglym Canada.
To learn more about Matt Garwood and his racing program please visit www.mattgarwoodracing.com, www.facebook.com/MattGarwoodRacing and follow him on Twitter at @mattgarwood31.
About Matt Garwood
Matt is a 20 year-old race car driver from Elmvale, Ontario currently studying at the Automotive Business School of Canada. Matt competes in the Formula 1200 open wheel racing series and in the near future looks to jump from regional racing to a national level series such as the Canadian Touring Car championship. He is a 3-time Canadian Karting League Champion and the 2012 Formula 1200 Rookie of the Year.
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