Racing driver born without arms takes to the track for the first time
A man, born without arms, has had his first opportunity to test the race car adapted for him.
Callum Smith, a 23-year-old man born without arms, experienced his first day as a racing driver after testing a specially adapted race car at Donington race circuit. The rookie driver, who was spotted by Team BRIT recruiters earlier this year, had to wait several months to modify a car with a steering wheel that can be controlled with his feet.
Upon taking the car for a spin, Smith described the raw emotion of the experience, something he didn't fully anticipate. Team BRIT's driving instructor Paul Fullick, who sat in the passenger seat for the track day, admitted it was a nerve-wracking first for him as well. Smith, from Nuneaton, has been learning to drive for a couple of years using a car with a steering wheel in the footwell, and now sets his sights on becoming the first racing driver with his disability.
Team BRIT, an all-disabled racing team with eight drivers and four cars adapted for various disabilities, recently modified Smith's car over the summer by Jim Doran Hand Controls in Coventry. Smith's biggest challenge to get a racing license will be proving he can exit the car unaided. Team Principal Mike Scudamore expressed satisfaction with the car's setup and Callum's progress, acknowledging the stiff steering as a challenge they plan to address.
Smith is set to continue taking track days in the future and hopes to optimize the car for competitive times.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
