Adaptive Equipment “Paves the Road” for Disabled Drivers to Enjoy Performance Driving

Spending a day at the track hurtling around corners and on straightaways with loud and boisterous supercars is time very well spent for many committed petrolheads. Many of the nation’s most exciting major racetracks now have experiences for beginners and disabled drivers to get behind the wheel. You can participate in the “bring your own” format for a model, or rent a powerful speed machine that likely has more torque and horsepower than your daily driver!

Disabled Drivers to Enjoy Performance Driving

For drivers who are trying to live their lives with a disability, high-octane fun like this can seem like an opportunity they may never have. Thankfully, as innovations in technology have helped with driving, they have also helped those struggling with limitations able to enjoy the thrill of launch control and checkered flags. Dan Jones of Driving Experience Days in the U.K. explained to the Car and Driver team last month that his company loves to make track driving available to as many diverse groups as possible.

The modifications that open awe-inspiring doors:

Driving Experience Days Limited has partnered with AbleNet to create several high-performance courses for drivers that have difficulty moving their legs and arms. They also are very dedicated by spending their days to give those who are visually impaired or blind options for performance driving as well. The steering wheel is the first target the group has while modifying cars, with the addition of a steering ball that allows for one-handed control.

Even if the driver has a very limited grip, they can operate with these ingenious hand controls, with many of the vehicles featuring modified transmissions as well. The list of exotic vehicles that drivers have their choice from includes amazing supercars such as the Aston Martin D89, and the McLaren 650S. Those who once only dared to dream of doing so can also hit the track with a Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari California, Nissan GT-R, or an Audi R8.

Are these awesome peeps only across the pond?

The fully up and running programs are both outside the U.S. as of now. However, the good people at Adaptive Driving Experience are soon adding one stateside addition to the mix. They have chosen to cater to military veterans, and even have a sweet race car built from the NASCAR Car of Tomorrow chassis that made an appearance in the Daytona 500. The powertrain is a small-block Chevy with around 400 horsepower, with swivel chairs and fine-tuned controls to make performance driving a reality for challenged and aspirational individuals.

A seasoned racer can coach the driver from the passenger seat, or even man the controls instantly to offer up an educational lap around the turf. All the final modifications were completed last year. The crew is now just waiting on protective helmets and fire gear. They have reached out to many locations that would be ideal for their provisions, but many are cautious about low profit potential.

The nuts and bolts of the manufacturing angle:

In 2021, BMW and Mini took the step forward in expanding their Driving Experience program to provide Safety Training for those eager to dive onto the pavement that are disabled. The program features sensible modules about evasive maneuvers, slalom driving, drifting, straight-line techniques, and braking. Instead of using the ball that was designed for one-hand driving, these vehicles have reconfigured the steering wheel with a ring that controls the speed.

This allows a driver to control the speed with their hands still on the wheel. These cars also use a brake lever, which is the most basic solution, but still assists users while they must maintain control. After witnessing just how much determination and self-assurance it takes to drive disabled, it can make one quite thankful for their blessings!

Teamwork, dreamwork, and fiercely competitive spirits:

Drivers with disabilities now have many options for honing their performance handling game, so it only makes sense to competitively up the stakes. Team BRIT Racing is an assembly of disabled drivers that faces off in the British GT Championship, British Endurance Championship, Britcar Trophy, and Citroen C1 Series. They roared to life in 2015, brandishing a fully-fledged “superhero in training” academy.

There is also now an eSports team that doles out their superior talents in Gran Turismo, iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and rFactor 2, with numerous contestants claiming spots on the coveted finishing podium. The Team Brit Racing endeavor has developed their very own hand control system for the throttle, clutch, brake, and steering. Implementing these changes has allowed their drivers to compete against drivers of all ability levels.

The hard truths about the dire need for accessibility:

The required support for this comprehensive change throughout the driving industry extends beyond the individuals seeking to avoid exclusion from performance events. Since all forms of racing carry the burden of risk, accidents can leave the most skilled drivers injured as well. IndyCar great Robert Wickens was in a serious accident in the 2018 ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. This left him with life-changing injuries to the legs.

In 2022 he was able to make a return to racing at the Michelin Pilot Challenge, along with the help of adaptive hand controls. He thrillingly nailed down a podium with his teammate Mark Wilkins during his first race at Daytona, and won at Watkins Glen International. He will continue to rise to the challenge this year.

Inspired by those rising to the challenge for disabled drivers?

Do you know anyone who has used any of these amazing technologies to drive? It could be just for the daily tasks and errands we all take for granted. Or to really kick up some steam and take to the track full throttle. Let us know if this story is inspiring to you in the comments below. Check out another article about the pros and cons of futuristic vehicles.