Mobility Info - UK
Motor Sport, including Karting
Motor sports consist of three main categories: Rallying, Motocross and Karting. Of course, because we are human, some of us may invent all sorts of ways to race around that track and have the wind whip our hair into a frenzied look, quite like a punk rocker! In any case, people with physical limitations are entitled to enjoy that same thrill, whether they have hair or not (like the great actor Yul Brynner).
Karting is short for racing that uses go-karts, which are framed vehicles that run close to the track and can make you feel like you're skimming around at a high rate of speed. Rallying is a competition which takes place on private or public roads and which uses road-legal cars that are specially built. Racers do not use a circuit, but instead, run in stages between fixed points. These races can cover hundreds of miles or kilometres. The Tour de France is like this, and individual bicycle riders can win each stage or the entire race. With this Tour de France the winners of each stage get a yellow jersey. With car rallies, it could just be a good cup of tea at the end of the day!
Motocross racing is for motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles (usually three wheels for the latter) and these competitions are held on off-road and enclosed circuits. The word Motocross comes from the French, but the sport traces it origins to British scrambling competitions. The pair of words and phrases which make up the word are "motorcycle" and "cross-country".
One physically-challenged racer is Philip Morris, who suffered the loss of his right leg as well as injuring his hand (the right one), in a terrible motorcycle accident in 2000. He races using his Golf, and last did so in the Volkswagen Cup in 2010. His Golf features the Volkswagen Direct gearbox. His races in a Golf GTI, which makes it easier for him to put his created leg into the vehicle, just before himself!
There are many adaptations to vehicles that have been made, or can be made, to accommodate special needs. No one needs to feel left out of a sport they have loved, or have grown to love. Philip's vehicle uses a semi-automatic gear system with a stick shift in the centre, as well as paddles attached to the rear of his steering wheel. He uses his left leg for the accelerator and brake and these are placed on the floor, with the accelerator situated on the left.
If you enter into an exciting MSA motorsport race or event and are physically challenged, then you are required to have two D stickers -- one on each side of your race vehicle. A Blue Book will help you figure this all out. Check out the MSA site at www.msauk.org for more information. Over 200 competitors with various medical conditions of physical challenges have earned the right to compete in exciting sports like rallying, karting and racing.
They have overcome the challenges of paraplegia, amputations of arms, legs and fingers, arthritis, M.S., motor neurone, visual and hearing challenges and Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, those with a recent history of major heart trouble or epilepsy, cannot currently qualify for racing. Some companies, by the way, will adapt your van for motorsports or camping. That way you can go to an event, race, and keep a vehicle that's comfortable for you to use. Dual purpose isn't bad at all! They will do custom orders in case you have super-special needs. If you do have them work on your camper van then don't worry about any electrical or gas work, as they are certified.
