Pioneering first for Knockhillposted in BTCC17 | 08 | 2015
ON THE EVE of the British Touring Car Championship making its annual pilgrimage to Knockhill this weekend, the Fife circuit has partnered with Baron Motorsports to make history by introducing new track performance driving courses for disabled drivers.
Since 2012, Leicestershire-based Baron Motorsports has been working to provide opportunities for disabled people to access and try out a range of motorsports, including karting and autotests.
Now, with a grant from SportScotland and the support of Knockhill Racing Circuit, for the first time disabled drivers are able to get in the driver seat and book a performance driving course in a track-prepared car.
Following on from the successful taster event hosted by Knockhill in April this year, Baron Motorsports has worked with Knockhill to develop the first accessible performance driving course anywhere in the UK, and Aberdeenshire based Richard Craig was the first person to try out the track session in the specially adapted Volvo S60 T5.
"Having a top circuit like Knockhill supporting this project has been key and we would like to thank the team at Knockhill and the instructors for their help and support in making this happen," Matt Kitson of Baron Motorsports said.
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“Our aim is to provide disabled drivers with the same opportunity to book and participate in motorsports experiences as able bodied drivers, and who knows maybe we will inspire a future motorsport champion or two along the way."
The pioneering initiative was welcomed by Stuart Gray, director of events at Knockhill.
"We are delighted to be involved in this innovating and inclusive project,' he said. "The track should be for all and with the adaptations to the Volvo, it certainly opens up the opportunity to enjoy the track to a very high level, in a fairly quick car under expert tuition."
And the course's first ever pupil, Richard Craig was delighted within first experience of the course.
“I used to compete on motocross bikes and thought this was my first opportunity to get on track and have some motorsport adrenaline again," he said. "The course was great and I enjoyed the track and the tuition. I know a few of my friends will like to do this too.”
The course will run at Knockhill, on a limited selected dates with the Volvo being kept and prepared for track use at the University of West of Scotland in Hamilton. Technicians at the university will oversee the car and its requirements.
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Jim McGill
Caption: Richard Craig with senior Instructor Sandy Forrest, one of four Knockhill instructors trained in the use of the Volvo and its modified driving controls.