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Drivers give "Hand Controlled" karts the thumbs up |
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Wednesday, 23 July 2008 |
The Southern Go-kart Club’s new hand controlled go-karts were given the
‘thumbs up’ by a group of physically disabled drivers at the Bolivar
Raceway, near Adelaide, yesterday.
Designed for use by drivers who have minimal use of their lower
body and legs the hand controlled karts are believed to be the first
karts in Australia to use an FIA approved steering wheel and throttle
mechanism.
Former commercial pilot Dale Elliott, who suffered a spinal injury
during a motorcycle accident six years ago, was one of four drivers to
put the 100cc karts through their paces during yesterday’s unveiling.
“All day long I’m pushing wheels, this time the wheels were pushing me around – it was awesome,” said Elliott.
“Prior to my accident I’d had a go on a dirt track at Morgan and
also had a spin on the hire karts, so to be able to get back behind the
wheel was a great feeling.
“I’d always been keen getting an adrenaline rush, I love my
snowboarding and sky diving as well, but all of that stopped when I
fell off a motorbike six years ago. Even though I’m in a wheelchair
that side of my brain is very active but until now I haven’t had an
avenue to release my desire for speed.
“An opportunity like this is a great way of building confidence for
wheelchair bound people and also an opportunity for younger physically
disabled people to learn car control skills at an early age."
Southern Go-Kart Club President Dave Kissock was delighted with the feedback provided by yesterday’s drivers.
“It was great to see these guys get behind the wheel, they all
seemed to have a ball The aim is for one day, soon, have a physically
disabled person regularly competing in our great sport,” said Kissock.
Yesterday’s unveiling of the hand-controlled karts will be a part
of the lead up to the 2008 City of Adelaide Titles to be held at the
venue this weekend.
The City of Adelaide Titles is one of the longest running blue
ribbon events in Australian karting. With over $6,000 of cash and
prizes up for grabs in the two ‘Pro’ categories for Junior and Senior
drivers the racing will be full of action across the weekend.
With entries received across a variety of categories competitors as
young as seven and as experienced as 50 years old will be vying for
title honours.
The youngest drivers, in the Midgets category aged between 7 and 10
years, will reach speeds of up to 80 km/h around the 861-metre circuit.
While karting for these kids is more about fun than winning
championships the sport teaches them, both boys and girls, about car
control long before they are able to obtain their road licence.
The Bolivar Raceway is located on Summer Road, Bolivar. Racing will
be held from 9am on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free for
spectators.
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