Disabled ex-servicemen enjoy extraordinary driving experience at Team Karting

KartForce at Team Karting

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Rochdale’s Team Karting held an extraordinary event Friday night (5 August), as disabled ex servicemen took the wheel in specially-adapted karts.

Drivers with various disabilities were able to get in the driving seat with adapted controls to take part in an epic karting competition, with special prizes handed out to the winners.

The drivers, some with legs missing, were able to control the cars with special hand controls which allowed them to be as able as if using foot pedals.

All the drivers were from KartForce, a charity organisation set up especially for helping injured troops get into the world of motorsport through karting.

The organisation was founded by Dave Player, who served five years in the Royal Engineers and has been a wheelchair user since 1991 after suffering a spinal cord injury.

One of KartForce’s disabled drivers, Mark Glasdy, said: “Everyone here is disabled in one way or another. Many of them are ex military or ex service men. There is a real variety of situations, one of the drivers lost his leg after having cancer, another was injured after being shot whilst in the army.

“The karts are adapted to accommodate us and we are able to race as if we were fully able. It’s so much fun and everyone has a laugh, but it’s also brilliant that it’s a possibility.”

Team Karting manager Matty Street said: “It’s been a brilliant night and the atmosphere was incredible.”