RALLYING

ParaRallying – Rally School for the Disabled

(19th August 2004)

Recently, whilst visiting the Motability Roadshow at Donington Park, amongst the masses of MPV’s and wheelchair friendly cars, was a vehicle that looked rather out of place. On its windscreen it had leaflets encouraging you to drive it, a Vauxhall Astra GSI rally car. Surely it had been left out at the motor racing circuit from a previous event.

Closer inspection revealed that it was fitted with hand controls. Interesting. I read the leaflet some more. “…we aim to provide motorsport of the highest level to people REGARDLESS of their disability”. Maybe it was meant to be at the event after all.

Later that day, I bumped into owner of the car, Dave Hawkins (pictured) of ParaRallying – the only rally school for the disabled in the world. In 1980 Dave suffered a road traffic accident, which resulted in him breaking his back in two places (amongst other injuries) and a wheelchair user.

He invited me to come and have a go at his rally school. It was too good an opportunity to turn down.

The night before I was due to head for Blyton Airfield, near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, a newsreader was reporting on the TV that ‘fire and emergency crews were dealing with severe flooding in Gainsborough’. My initial reaction was ‘will the rally school still be on?’ Then I though, ‘Hang on, its rallying, not cricket, of course it will be’.

At 9am the following morning I was attending an entertaining drivers briefing, with the sun glistening on the puddles of mud in the off-road section. In addition to us four ParaRallying pupils were ‘able’ bodied, equally nervous looking, participants from the Rally Drive school.

By the end of the three sessions, everyone had commented on how their feel and control of the car had improved. An example of this was that when the car went into a sideways slide, the natural reaction was to brake. However thanks to Dave and Ashley’s guidance, accelerating brought the car back under control (until the next time!)

A glance at the lap times showed that although the ParaRallying fastest time was 3 seconds slower than the best Rally Drive time that morning, we were ALL more than 5 seconds faster than many of the other (able bodied) efforts.

After the lunch break, we moved to the one-mile tarmac track. The circuit was demonstrated, in impressive fashion, by Dave (a T12 paraplegic) using the ELAP hand controls on the Astra. The automatic gearbox allows you concentrate on braking points and the correct line. Everyone was amazed at how well the Astra handled, even with the all the abuse we were dealing it! ParaRallying also have a Subaru Impreza WRX, for those who fancy another 100bhp extra and four-wheel drive.

The day was concluded with an informal debrief. Scores were given for line; braking; throttle/steering; control; times run and star value. These were presented to each of the drivers, who unanimously left with enormous grins on their faces.

Aside from the fun and total enjoyment of day, from a safety point of view, everyone agreed that their car control was undoubtedly improved. A bonus, to what was an excellent and unorthodox ‘disabled day’.

For more details, contact Dave Hawkins on 07946 262467 or visit www.pararallying.com

Gift vouchers are available directly from the school, or Acorne vouchers (a part of the Virgin group).