Disabled drivers take performance classes. Special controls can give those with limited arm or leg movement or additional vision opportunities. Esports and racing teams have employed disabled drivers. Car aficionados fantasise about attending a track day with low-slung, raucous, and flamboyant supercars. Over the past decade, supercar track experiences have become popular and widespread. Beginner drivers can drive their own or rent fast automobiles at large racetracks. Some even have instructors to help new drivers get adjusted to fast speeds. Those are trying to make driving and racing on a track accessible to those with eyesight or mobility issues in these fun-run tournaments. “Just because you have a physical disability or visual impairment does not mean that experiences like this should be unavailable to you,” said Dan Jones of Driving Experience Days Limited in the UK. “We want as many [people] as possible to enjoy driving a supercar around a track.” Driving Experience Days Limited has partnered with AbleNet, a leading disability organisation, to offer high-performance adapted courses for those with limited arm and leg movement, as well as visually impaired or blind drivers, to help more people enjoy driving. To make them more accessible to people with disabilities, the cars were extensively adapted with specific controls. An automobile can be operated with one hand with a steering ball. This lets disabled individuals work. The Aston Martin DB9, McLaren 650S, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari California, Nissan GT-R, and Audi R8 are included. Many cars have automatic transmissions. A trainer can assist blind drivers in driving these supercars. Adaptive Driving Experience, a nonprofit, is finishing a military veteran program in the US. Director Danny Chrissanthis said, “We have a race car derived from the NASCAR Car of Tomorrow chassis that Brian Keselowski raced in the Daytona 500.” A small-block Chevy engine with 400 horsepower, swivel chairs, improved controls, and passenger controls are installed. Professional racers can drive or help.We completed all upgrades last year.” Chrissanthis said we need helmets and fire suits to manage larger groups. Adaptive Driving Experiences is one of several programs in the country. Still, the orders have arrived. Chrissanthis said “various racetracks” have been approached about the concept. Still, many say it won’t produce enough money to cover the expenses. Thus, the company had to change tactics. “I think getting out on track and having people see that, watching the videos and how this experience impacts people,” he says, “will open doors and create more opportunities.” and controls let you drive with pedals. The Aston Martin DB9, McLaren 650S, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari California, Nissan GT-R, and Audi R8 are included. Many cars have automatic transmissions. A trainer can assist blind drivers in driving these supercars. Adaptive Driving Experience, a nonprofit, is finishing a military veteran program in the US. Director Danny Chrissanthis said, “We have a race car derived from the NASCAR Car of Tomorrow chassis that Brian Keselowski raced in the Daytona 500.” A small-block Chevy engine with 400 horsepower, swivel chairs, improved controls, and passenger controls are installed. Professional racers can drive or help.We completed all upgrades last year.” Chrissanthis said we need helmets and firesuits to manage larger groups. Adaptive Driving Experiences is one of several programs in the country. Still, the orders have arrived. Chrissanthis said “various racetracks” have been approached about the concept. Still, many say it won’t produce enough money to cover the expenses. Thus, the company had to change tactics. “I think getting out on track and having people see that, watching the videos and how this experience impacts people,” he says, “will open doors and create more opportunities.” Manufacturer-Disabled Drivers Other industries, including automakers, offer high-performance driving experiences and instruction to limited-access drivers. BMW and Mini’s Driving Experience program will teach disabled drivers safety in 2021. Braking, evasive maneuvers, slalom driving, line selection, and drifting are taught. Driving Experience Days Limited’s curriculum uses flashy supercars in different circumstances than BMW’s BMW 230i, BMW M3, and Mini John Cooper Works. BMW and Mini’s cars use a steering wheel throttle ring instead of a ball. Thus, drivers with lower body issues can speed without taking their hands off the wheel. Hand-operated brake levers help drivers control the 510-hp M3 on the track. In a manufacturer press release, driving instructor Bettina Schmidt-Kiendl said, “Driving is self-determination and thus also a kind of freedom.” Wheelchair-bound Schmid-Kiendl drives. “The new program aims to give people with similar disabilities the same driving joy I have every day.” Racing schools Disabled racers can go fast. squad Disabled drivers drive for BRIT Racing in the Citroen C1 Series, British GT Championship, British Endurance Championship, and Britcar Trophy. 2015-founded racing squad offers a disabled racing academy. Gran Turismo, iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and rFactor, two eSports teams, have podium finishers. Convenience Benefits Support for disabled drivers and improvements in this field benefit more than just young enthusiasts who desire to drive despite their restrictions. Accidents often sideline fit racers. IndyCar driver Robert Wickens suffered significant leg injuries at the 2018 ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. In 2022, Wickens raced the #33 Hyundai Elantra N with hand controls in the Michelin Pilot Challenge with Bryan Herta Autosport. He won at Watkins Glen International and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park and finished third at Daytona with Mark Wilkins. After finishing sixth in 2022, he returned in 2023.
