Disability Motorsports

The purpose of DMS is to help Improve life conditions, encourage inclusion in motorsport for those with a disability and advancement of public participation in sport.

Kames in Muirkirk, Cumnock is a sleepy little village with a golf club, a campsite and a few shops. Nothing much really happens. It’s reputed that the first trial of John Loudon Macadam’s new road surfacing technique was in Kames. Jim Clark, the most feted of all F1 drivers, also cut his teeth on the little-known Motorsport Circuit.

The circuit itself is a very short, narrow bumpy challenging piece of tarmac, which when strapped into a 300+ bhp 4-wheel drive race car is an absolute hoot to drive!

Disability Motorsports is spearheaded by Colin Duthie, a one-legged ex biker who, like all bikers has a penchant for speed! Alongside Colin and the trustees there are a team of volunteer mechanics and helpers who work together to make Disability Motorsports Scotland (DMS) successful. DMS is now a recognised club within Motorsports UK.

The purpose of DMS is to help Improve life conditions, encourage inclusion in motorsport for those with a disability and advancement of public participation in sport.

The day starts with a sign-on for drivers and passengers. The participants vary in terms of disabilities, with many like myself in wheelchairs and some with other mobility issues. All are catered for, as the car is equipped with hand controls.

Having been to DMS at Kames one previous time last year, which I was only able to participate as a passenger, annoyingly, due to the lack of my driving licence! This first on-track experience was incredible, as my driver threw the car around the circuit at a mind-warp speed. I was immediately hooked and vowed to return once I had my licence.

When I was able to return to drive the circuit, thankfully the weather was kind to DMS as the track managed to dodge the rain all day. This meant that dry track time was enjoyed by all.

For myself a T6 complete paraplegic, the transfer into the car over a bucket seat and into position is a bit of a faff first time around. Once in and secured with the 4-point harness and shoulder and neck support on to my helmet I felt very comfortable and snug.

As a driver already, I was immediately comfortable with the hand controls and with Colin as my co-driver we set about learning the circuit. I asked Colin if he’d operate the DSG gearbox in manual, as it would be too much to operate the brake, accelerator and gearbox whilst trying to negotiate the circuit. Following Colin’s instruction I had the most amazing session which literally flew by, leaving me itching for more.

On my second session, with time to absorb the information from the first, and more confident in my ability and that of the car, I was able to push the limits that little bit further and improved my top speed on the “straight” above 75mph, which albeit doesn’t sound fast, believe me feels a hell of a lot faster!

If anyone out there feels the need for speed and would like to support DMS I can’t recommend this highly enough. In summary all I can do is thank Colin and the team for the opportunity to get on track. Please keep up the good work!

http://www.disabilitymotorsport.com Email: info@disabilitymotorsport.com