Disabled Drivers Share
their Love of Fast Cars
15 owner/drivers of some of the fastest
adapted vehicles in the UK
in `lap of honour` at
Donington Park
Following a nationwide search to find the
fastest adapted vehicles in the UK, fifteen disabled drivers have been invited
to exhibit their cars at the Mega Motors Exhibition, which will take place on 20
June at The Mobility Roadshow. After the exhibition, all participants
will also be invited to take their vehicles for a 'lap of honour' on the
Donington Park Grand Prix race circuit.
The Mega Motors exhibition will include some of the fastest vehicles owned and
driven by disabled people in the UK:
1. TVR Griffith 4.3 BV owned by David Peck (50) from Ferndown, Dorset. David's
1992 TVR Griffith, in Cureton Green with full leather interior, boasts a top
speed in excess of 140 mph and a zero to 60 time in the region of 5 seconds. David,
who is an IT consultant, is paraplegic as a result of a road traffic accident in
1972. He has always loved motoring and his disability has certainly
never stopped him from enjoying motoring at its best. His previous
cars include a Ford, a BMW Alpina, a Mercedes, a Porsche 911 and a Jaguar XJR -
all adapted with hand controls.
"I believe driving means much more than mere transportation from A to B. It
has to be pleasurable, to create a sense of achievement... but above all it must
be exciting," comments David. Given the performance
characteristics of the TVR, David has explored the full extent of its
capabilities during track day events held at race circuits around the country.
David eventually found his dream car in 1995; with the recent advances in
adaptation technology he was able to overcome the problem of hand-controlling a
manual gearbox configuration, by adapting the TVR Griffith with a
Guidosimplex/OC Mobility system for the clutch and Jeff Gosling throttle and
brake hand controls.
2. Nissan Micra hot rod racing car, owned by Gemma Trotter (19) from
Wallington, Surrey. Gemma races her spaced framed Nissan Micra in
Super Saloon Hot Rod competitions. The car which is powered by a
190bhp, 2lt 16 valve Vauxhall engine boasts a top speed in excess of 130 mph.
Despite the fact that she had her left leg amputated after a car accident in
1997, Gemma has not been put off pursing a career on the racetrack. Model
Heather Mills helped Gemma to come to terms with life with a false leg,
"When Heather showed me her leg I thought it looked fantastic because you
couldn't tell it wasn't real," recalls Gemma.
As Gemma is unable to operate the clutch with her left leg, the clutch system
has been adapted with specialist controls using electronics to depress and
release the clutch via a button on the gear stick.
Gemma already has an impressive collection of trophies and is set to be
propelled into the national championships. "You can do anything
you like if you put your mind to it," she says, "it would be great if
others could get inspiration from my experience".
3. RUF Porsche 993 BTR owned by Peter Griffiths (56) from Bristol. Peter's
custom designed Porsche is a modified, turbocharged 911 built by RUF Automobile. With
430 bhp, the car boasts a top speed of 202 mph, "though I've only managed
192 on the autobahn," Peter tells us. The car has a Guido
Simplex hand operated brake, a steering wheel mounted throttle and an RUF
Electronic Clutch System which permits retention of the 6 speed manual box with
fully automated electric/hydraulic clutch operation.
Peter, a former lorry driver, was out on his motorbike in 1990 when a car pulled
out in front of him; the accident left him paralysed from the chest down. His
never-ending taste for speed is reflected in his other choices of transport - a
Honda Fireblade motorbike fitted with hand controls, hydraulic stabilizers and a
wheelchair carrier and a power boat with wheelchair access and hand controls.
4. Grinnall Scorpion owned by Andrew Scudamore (43) from Gt Shelford,
Cambridge.
Andrew, who is a mechanical designer & engineer, broke his back in a skiing
accident in 1992. His disability has never interfered with his
driving ambition and he bought his three-wheeled Grinnall in 1999. The
Grinnall, which boasts a top speed of 130 mph, features a hand
operated clutch and brake, along with push button sequential gear change.
5. BMW 330 Coupe owned by Paul Helyer (30) from Chichester, Sussex. Paul's
2001 BMW boasts a top speed of 160 mph and is adapted with steptronic
transmission and push-pull hand controls. Paul, who is a farmer, is
paraplegic as a result of a car accident ten years ago. His
disability does not stop him working on a dairy and arable farm, where he also
drives assorted tractors, a lorry, ATV, quad bikes and a Land Rover! When
he's not working on the farm, Paul can be found at Goodwood Motor Racing
circuit, taking his car for a spin on track days.
6. Classic Jaguar E-Type Roadster S11 owned by John Hume (56) from
London. John's classic, racing green, 1970 Jaguar, complete with tan
leather trim, has been fully restored to its original glory. The
E-Type Jaguar was developed as the first production road car to reach 150 mph. John,
who is a lawyer, is paraplegic as a result of a riding accident when he was a
teenager. To enable him to drive it, the car has been fitted with
Feeny & Johnson hand controls.
John has always had a passion for cars and his disability has certainly never
stopped him from enjoying motoring at its best; his previous cars include a
Lotus Elan and an MGB. He also currently owns a Jaguar XJS and
another classic Jaguar, the 1969 E-type FHL - both fitted with hand
controls. Over the years John has taken part in many classic car
events and rallies, including the RAC Euro-Classic Rally across the continent.
7. BMW330Ci Sport owned by Grahame Evans (31) from Swarthmoor, Cumbria. Grahame's
new topaz blue BMW, complete with leather and wood trim, boasts a top speed of
155pmh. Grahame, who is a mechanical engineer, was diagnosed with
spinal cancer in 1996, being told at one point that he had just two weeks to
live. A subsequent operation left him paralysed from the chest down
and fully wheelchair dependent.
Always a fan of high performance cars, Grahame previously owned an Audi Coupe
2.2iGT and a Vauxhall Calibra 2.5 V6. He bought his BMW 330Ci new
last December, taking advantage of changes in legislation, which now enable
certain adapted vehicles to be exempt from VAT. His car is
adapted with push/pull accelerator and brake hand controls.
8. Porsche 911 Targa owned by Jonathan Gilbert (37) from Edinburgh. Jonathan's
2002 metallic silver Porsche boasts 325 bhp and a top speed of 178 mph -
reaching 0-62 mph in just 5.7 seconds. The car is adapted with push
pull hand controls.
Jonathan, who now works in banking, has always had a taste for speed. Before
he broke his back in a motorbike accident in 1997, he worked in the motor trade
and used to race competitively in the Scottish saloon cars, moto-cross and
karting championship.
Jonathan has not let the fact that he is paraplegic interfere with his love of
driving - and of adventure. In 2001 he became the first disabled
driver to complete the infamous Gumball Rally. Billed as 'a private
party for car nuts with a passion for driving, partying and adventure' the
Gumball Rally 2001 followed a 3000 mile route through 12 countries. Joined
by his wife (and co-driver!) Evelyn, they raced their BMW 330 convertible across
Europe, to successfully complete the trip to St.Petersburgh and back, in the
allotted time - just five days.
9. Ford Cougar 2.5l V6 owned by Caroline Gallagher (33) from
Loughborough. Caroline's new Ford Cougar boasts a top speed of 140
mph. Caroline, who works for an estate agent, has dislocated hips and
wears a caliper on her left leg. Her Cougar is adapted with a twin
lever accelerator and brake system, specially designed for her by LVC Mobility.
10. Alfa Romeo GTV6 3ltr owned by Steve Arran (47) from Weeley, Essex. Steve's
classic Alfa Romeo two door coupe has a top speed of 132 mph. Steve,
who has a fish and chip shop, lost his right arm in a motorcycle accident in
1975. To enable him to drive a manual car, it is fitted with a knob
on the steering wheel on to which he clips an attachment from his artificial
arm, so he can steer with his right arm, leaving his left hand free to change
gear.
When he's not working at his shop, Steve can be found driving his car round race
circuits at open track day events across the UK.
11. Porsche Boxter Tiptronic owned by Kumara-Moorthy (45) from
Hertfordshire. Kumar's arena red Porsche, complete with grey leather
trim, has a top speed of 155mph, "though I've only managed 148 mph on the
Autobahn so far!" comments Kumar. Affected by polio as a baby,
Kumar walks with the aid of crutches and calipers. His Porsche is
adapted with Lynx hand controls, so he can operate the throttle and brake with
his hands.
Kumar, who works in the internet software business, has always had a thirst for
speed. His previous cars include an MGB and he also drives
a Porsche 911 SC. "A Porsche is not the kind of car people
imagine a disabled person to drive. I have always loved sports cars and there is
no reason why someone like myself cannot enjoy the full driving experience of
this type of car," says Kumar.
12. Grinnall Scorpion owned by Mark Fox(40) from Wootton Bassett,
Wiltshire. Mark, who is a garage service manager, took delivery of
his new Grinnall Scorpian in May 2002. The three-wheeled car is
modeled on a McLaren design at the front, combined with a BMW motorcycle engine. The
Grinnall boasts a top speed of 140 mph.
Mark is paraplegic as a result of a motor bike accident in 1987, so he requires
hand controls to drive. The Grinnall has a manual clutch
with electronic gear change and push-pull hand operated throttle and brake. Mark
also drives and Audi A3 with hand controls, plus a selection of trikes and
go-carts.
13. BMW 330Ci owned by Duncan Edwards (41) from Huddersfield, West Yorks. Duncan's
231 bhp BMW boasts a top speed of 154 mph - 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds. Duncan,
who is a tax accountant, is paraplegic as a result of an operation when he was
just six years old. He learnt to drive at 17 and has owned various
adapted cars, including a Honda Prelude, a Rover Coupe and several Ford Escorts. His
current BMW is an automatic which he drives with hand-pull accelerator and
hand-push brake controls.
14. Fiat 131 Super Mirafiori 2000 owned by Robert Hodskinson (56) from
Buxton, Derbyshire. Robert was in a motorbike accident in 1964, which
left him paralysed from the chest down. His disability has not
preventing him from running his own garage, where he himself converted and
adapted his 1979 2 litre 16 V Fiat, with an engine transplanted from a Fiat Tipo. He
also fitted the car with Alfred Bekker hand controls to operate the throttle and
brake. His modifications have elevated the car to performance standards, with a
top speed in excess of 110 mph. "It may look original on the
outside, but the inside certainly isn't!" Robert comments.
15. Steve Tarrant from Poole, Dorset, will be attending the Mega Motors
exhibition as a special Guest of Honour. In June 2000 Steve was
working as a marshal at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, when a 1968 Lotus F1 car
careered through the finish gantry on the grass and hit him at a speed of around
140 mph.
The accident left Steve an amputee, losing his right leg above the knee. He also
suffered a severe compound fracture of the left leg, abdominal and head
injuries, and various other scars and scrapes. After weeks in
intensive care (cheating death four times because of medical complications),
more than four months in hospital and then 16 months of operations, treatment
and intensive therapy, Steve got back in the driving seat for the first time
when he took delivery of his new Ford Focus in February this year. "Boy,
you can't believe how much this one action means to me. Freedom and independence
- wonderful!" said Steve.
Steve (41) will be exhibiting his Ford Focus
- decked out in the livery of last year's world rally runner-up, Colin McRae.
The Mega Motors exhibition aims to offer inspiration to visitors who might have
thought that a fast or sporty car would not be appropriate or suitable for
adaptation. The message is clear - even the fastest high performance cars can be
adapted for disabled drivers.
Visitors to the Roadshow will be able to inspect these cars for themselves and
will also have the opportunity to talk to their owners about the adaptations
involved. There was once a time when disabled drivers were associated
with little blue trikes - things have certainly come a long way since then!
Visitors who want to see even more fast cars can also visit the Donington Grand
Prix Collection - the largest collection of Grand Prix cars in the
World - at reduced rates.
The Mobility Roadshow takes place at Donington Park on Thursday 20 - Saturday 22
June, open from 10.00 am daily. This is a charity event and entrance
is free. The one-day Mega Motors exhibition takes place on 20 June.
General enquiries please contact Mobility Choice on tel 0870 7703222, fax 0870
770 3277 or e-mail choice@gtnet.gov.uk.
Press enquiries, please contact: Rosemary Vaux / Sarah Littlefair at
Ravenstone PR
tel 0208 943 5343 fax 0208 614 8087
e-mail mobility@ravenstone-pr.demon.co.uk
