Mat Simmons

Mat Simmons is an Australian racing driver who took an unconventional route to professional motorsport. Born on June 19, 1989, in Brisbane, Queensland, Simmons initially worked as a delivery driver for Australia Post. However, his passion for racing, nurtured by playing Gran Turismo, led him to enter the Nissan GT Academy competition. In 2015, he emerged as the International winner, beating out numerous other competitors and earning himself a coveted spot in the world of professional racing.

Simmons' victory in the GT Academy marked a major turning point in his life, transitioning "from postie to pro" in a remarkably short time. The win provided him an opportunity to participate in Nissan's Driver Development Programme (DDP) and acquire his International C Race Licence. This then allowed him to race in the Blancpain Endurance Series with Nissan GT Academy Team RJN, driving a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. His debut race took place at the Monza circuit in Italy.

Beyond GT racing, Simmons also participated in the final round of the TCR Australia Series in 2019, driving a Subaru WRX TCR for Milldun Motorsport. In 2020, he joined Milldun Motorsport's team for the ARG eSport Cup, showcasing his skills in iRacing. Simmons also aimed to compete in the real-world TCR series. He had also made it to the World Finals of the FIA Gran Turismo Championships.