The Young and The Fast: Meet a Young Racer Making Waves
Matthew Lyddall, a young and talented RC racer from Aldershot, Hampshire, has quickly made a name for himself in our corner of the RC world.
At just 12 years old, Matthew has already shown maturity beyond his years and a passion for racing that sets him apart. Starting his RC racing journey only last year, Matthew quickly fell in love with the sport and the thrill of the race.
His mum, Becky, saw a social media ad for an open day at Aldershot Model Car Club and took Matthew to see what it was about. A few weeks later, Matthew raided the piggy bank, cashing in his savings to buy a car and get started. The rest, as they say, is history.
He attributes his success so far to his determination, love of mechanics and aerodynamics, and his admiration for BMW cars, which he shares with his father. He cites the highlight of his debut season last year as a whole day of wet racing at Adur, even though his car didn't run properly for a single race. Despite the technical difficulties, Matthew remained positive and ended the day with two first-place finishes in the B-final. Adur is now his favourite track, as he was able to pick up the lines quickly and felt comfortable racing there (and getting a great result). This is the way.
One of the biggest lessons that Matthew has learned in his time racing RC cars is to not get stressed and to always try his best. He cites Rob Baxter, a fellow racer known for his laid-back approach, as a great inspiration for this.
For the 2023 season, Matthew has graduated from the Junior-E class into the Touring Car Talent Cup at King of Clubs, a testament to his hard work and talent. Matthew is also now working to inspire others to take up RC racing, supporting fellow youngsters to look after their cars and prepare for each race. However, he encourages anyone thinking of giving it a go to stay determined and never give up, even if they don't win.
He has a deep passion for RC racing and a drive to succeed but never loses sight of why he is racing in the first place – to have fun. With his talent, determination, and positive attitude, there is no doubt that we will be hearing more about this young man in the future.
Matthew Lyddall is just one of many young RC racers taking the racing world by storm. With a mature head on his young shoulders, he's a true testament to the potential of the next generation. Follow along with The Young and The Fast series as we uncover the stories of the rising RC stars and see what the future of RC racing has in store.
