Becoming a co driver with a disability?

[brett parton]

hi my name is Brett and I am 20 years old and live in san Bernardino CA. I have muscular dystrophy and confined to a wheelchair. im looking into co driving for a utv team but with a disability I don't know were to start. all I want to do in this short life is race in the desert. racing is in my blood but my condition kind of through racing out the window. I am well aware of the risk and accept them because this is what I really like doing. another thing that keeps coming up is what if the car flips how do help the driver out if he's knocked out or let alone how do I get out if its flipped over or on fire.I just really want to know is this idea just a waste of time or not. if anyone can help send me a response please.

 

[jajl22]

Hi Brett,

Without knowing your specific issues or disabilities i am just speaking in general terms here.

I know vehicles have been altered for hand controls and things of that nature for racers in different series. I think i even remember some write ups on this site.

You could potentially search the forums for threads on those types of vehicles and get in contact with the builders or owners to give you advice and have a better understanding of the specific issues you might face and what they did to help limit or improve those issues.

You might be able to send a pm to Joey D and ask him to direct you to the forum threads or members he knows that deal with disabilities if the search doesn't turn anything up.

If your that passionate about it I would say anything is possible but it is not something that is just going to happen over night.

Another idea you could possibly look at local series or even a smaller type grand prix type race where you would be closer to medical attention and not in quite so remote areas.

Maybe you could help prerun with a team to start off before you jump into a race car, lots of different ideas and avenues you can look into.

Plus remember there are a lot of ways you can enjoy racing and be a part of the action with out actually racing, maybe help put up course markers or take down after a race, relay radio communications, promote and run websites...most small series races are always looking for help with this type of stuff and will take all the help they can get.

Just some ideas, and good luck!

 

[mearsman]

I think short course maybe better suited to your situation. In he event that something does happen, there are plenty of people to help you out of the car.
In desert racing the co driver is in essence, the mechanic. If there's a flat, he has his belts undone and is halfway out of the car before the car even comes to a stop. The driver gets a snack and a quick drink of water and goes back to work the second that both of the co pilots feet are off of the ground.

 

[GeorgeHammel]

I had the pleasure of meeting Brett at the last Lucas Regional at Glen Helen, he wasn't lying when he said racing runs in his blood, he knew more about racing and the cars then most people actually participating! A great person and an asset to anyone that works with him. Brett, I agree with the other comments, might not be a bad idea to co-drive in a shorter local even, like the Dirt Series. Its motocross style but you are close to people that can help in the case of any emergency, plus you get to hit bigger jumps!!! Make sure you take a ton of pictures and use a GoPro so we can all check it out!