Motorsport UK, the governing body for British motorsport, has announced its selection for students of the year from its academy programme. The Motorsport UK Academy is a talent development pathway that equips the UK’s most promising young drivers and co-drivers with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to maximise their performance on and off track.

Following their academic engagement and sporting achievements this year, Motorsport UK’s Academy, alongside Loughborough College, has recognised three drivers as the Sporting Excellence Students of the year.

The well-deserved achievement has been awarded based on hard work, determination, and performance development through, what has been arguably been, the toughest year yet on the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) Course delivered in collaboration with Loughborough College.  The recognition goes to the following drivers, all of whom have been true ambassadors of the sport and the college.

One driver from each year has been awarded the title of Student of the Year: Molly Dodd from year one, Matt Greenwood from year two and Johnnie Mackay from year three. As a reward for their hard work over the academic year, Molly, Matt and Johnnie will be awarded tickets to the 2021 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Junior Saloon Car Championship driver Molly was chosen as one of the students of the year for her commitment to her studies, excellent attitude and for being a fantastic role model for the next generation of the sport.

Molly commented, “I am very grateful to have been awarded Student of the Year by my tutors and leaders at Loughborough College during my first year at the Motorsport UK Academy. It has been a brilliant opportunity that I have thoroughly enjoyed, and found both fruitful and inspirational. A big thanks to the fantastic effort that the staff have put into the course for us, particularly through these difficult times.”

Matt who is  the 2019 Britcar Endurance Champion, impressed the academy coaches by becoming the only year two student to complete the level three qualification in motorsport technology. This, combined with his impressive drive to improve and challenge himself and his eagerness to learn and develop, made him a standout candidate for the prize.

Matt said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I have had the most amazing time with the Motorsport UK Academy. I have learnt invaluable skills and knowledge to progress my motorsport career all in a superb environment at Loughborough College. Over the two years I have made great friends, we share a passion for motorsport and have some fantastic memories.”

Year three student of the year and rally driver Johnnie Mackay achieved the highest marks in his year group by devoting a great deal of time to his studies. He has also become a reliable and supportive classmate to his peers.

Johnnie explained: “I’m delighted to be chosen for this award as I come to the end of the Motorsport UK DiSE Course at Loughborough. It has been a great experience and has allowed me to network with drivers from all disciplines in the sport. A big thank you goes to the tutors from both Loughborough College and Motorsport UK, who have been so supportive throughout my time on the course and allowed me to achieve my goals.”

The drivers’ achievement is a credit to the dedication they have put in to developing their performance throughout the duration of their time in the Motorsport UK Academy, and of course, outside of it.

Young aspiring drivers and co-drivers, serious about their motorsport career, who are interested in applying to the Motorsport UK Academy enhanced Diploma in Sporting Excellence can enquire via academy@motorsportuk.org. Those interested will receive an information pack with further details about the course for September 2020. Places are now limited for the next academic year, so those interested are encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible.