Any other disabled drivers here?

As the topic names says, I'm just curious. I'm a C6-7 quad who's been autocrossing a 91 Miata for several years, and just got hand controls installed on a sweet 88 Conquest TSI SHP that I picked up a couple of months ago.

I love cars, and I'll be damned if any disability is going to keep me from enjoying them as much as possible

Good attitude! Rt leg amp here. Swap my pedals around and use air over hydraulics and a video game controller trigger to run the clutch. HPDE. Maybe some autocrosses this year if I get the mg more sorted out. A good chunk of determination goes a long way.

How do you like the Conquest? When I worked at a dealership one was taken in trade. I hid it out back with the low dollar trade-ins and used it as my running around on business car. I really enjoyed it.

oldtin - That sounds like a very cool setup!! And you're right...determination, and just downright hard headedness, can overcome a lot of obstacles.

pilotbraden - I've only got about 20 miles on it so far. It had an extended stay at my local exhaust shop getting 3" pipes from the turbo all the way out. So far I like it. It's cool in that uber techno 80's way. It certainly gets a lot of looks on the road. The SHP package has 8" wide front and 9" wide rear wheels, which really give it an aggressive look, especially from the rear.

oldtin wrote: Good attitude! Rt leg amp here. Swap my pedals around and use air over hydraulics and a video game controller trigger to run the clutch. HPDE. Maybe some autocrosses this year if I get the mg more sorted out. A good chunk of determination goes a long way.

I'd like to see how that's done, sounds cool.

otherwise, just mental dis-ad's. This is GRM afterall

Pardon my ignorance, but isn't a quad mean no hand usage either?

In other news... good for you! We have a local paraplegic autocross with us occasionally (a 240SX IIRC), and he's damn good.

Here's the overly complicated version out of some hospital lab equipment - feedback hydraulics and controller, voltage step-downs and step-ups. Air compressor and tank are stuffed behind the wheel well out of the pic. This spring it's getting a rework and simplification. Down to just a trigger, control valve, small pancake air cylinder and I think ditching the slave cylinder for a hydraulic throw out bearing.

Now THAT'S GRM!!

Javelin wrote: Pardon my ignorance, but isn't a quad mean no hand usage either? In other news... good for you! We have a local paraplegic autocross with us occasionally (a 240SX IIRC), and he's damn good.

Javelin - You are correct. I have no 'grip'. Wrists work, but no fingers. It sucks sometimes, but its not an insurmountable issue...if you want something bad enough

oldtin - Now that is ingenious. How's the launch?

I love your attitude guys, wanna race

Reminds me of this project:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/12159/thread/1159596915/1159628849/Handicap+Controls+on+a+X+-+Pictures

http://www.network54.com/Forum/12159/message/1179016544/18+month+project%2C+the+footless+X1-9

Very awesome. I smell an article is due for GRM....

So far very controlled - it uses a high-speed valve/controller (4ms response speed) so the push on the master cylinder is directly proportional to how far the trigger is pulled. The simplified version still has a level of proportional control - but it isn't hard-wired into the system. After lots of experimenting between this and my e36 that's not modified I've come to the conclusion that a lot of clutch "feel" is more connected to the inner ear and butt dyno than feedback through the pedal/foot. Next gen is also switching from cheap chinese compressors to a modified sanden a/c compressor or range rover suspension compressor.

edit - aussie, the mg should be at the challenge this year - under budget or not

I'm impressed. There are lots of folks with less restrictions that just sit on the sidelines. So good on you guys!

This is a link, to my friend,Phil Hunt. Great guy. He's been in a chair for years (motorcycle accident), but had set up a set of hand controls for his track-day Golf. Last time I saw him out (at Pocono), he was quick!

oldtin - my controls are just basic push for brake, rotating bellcrank for throttle. The U-cuff on the steering wheel is required due to lack of hand 'grip'.

I had to have the local SCCA region guys look it over and give me the thumbs up before I could run, but they did, and I do!! I'm actually Region 64's STS class cham-p for 2011.

aeronca65t - thanks. And Phil looks like an awesome guy. I would love to run a foreign car repair shop, but the machine shop I'm a partner at has its benefits too. I've had a couple of brackets made for my controls, and the steering wheel spacer shown in the pic.

Not only should you be in the GRM magazine if you want to be, Mthomson22, but have you thought about sending details of your setup to the Dept. Of Veteran's Affairs?

I am beyond confident that your setup would be of interest to some veterans.

Thanks Brett!!

I would be more than happy to share the details of my setup with anyone who was interested. In reality the controls are garden variety Monarch brand that any adaptive equipment vendor should be able to get, same with the steering wheel cuff/spinner.

I spaced the steering wheel back to keep my 'inoperable' feet as far from the pedals as possible. I've also sawzalled off the bottom half of the oem gas pedal. During autocross runs I have straps that I use to keep my feet/legs from crashing about. I strap my right thigh to the ebrake handle and my left to the door. It took a little while to sort it all out, but in the end its a setup that works great for me.

Any 'normal' person can still drive it, if need be.

Dude...

This thread...

Awesome.

You guys are fantastic.

That is all.

mthomson22 wrote: Thanks Brett!! I would be more than happy to share the details of my setup with anyone who was interested. In reality the controls are garden variety Monarch brand that any adaptive equipment vendor should be able to get, same with the steering wheel cuff/spinner. I spaced the steering wheel back to keep my 'inoperable' feet as far from the pedals as possible. I've also sawzalled off the bottom half of the oem gas pedal. During autocross runs I have straps that I use to keep my feet/legs from crashing about. I strap my right thigh to the ebrake handle and my left to the door. It took a little while to sort it all out, but in the end its a setup that works great for me. Any 'normal' person can still drive it, if need be.

Wow. I never thought about the need for leg restraints. My old corner worker buddy who's in a chair didn't really start autoXing until he was about 55 or so, and he'd already had his legs removed.

oldtin deserves all the innovation credit here. I'm just a hack behind the wheel.

There's a guy in our region who autocrosses a C6 Vette. Great guy.

All I want is to be able to go as fast (or faster) than everybody else. mthomson22 you're doing it.

In reply to oldtin:

Do you have video of your setup in action? Not only do I admire the determination going on here, your means to the end is cool in and of itself.

No video yet, it's apart again for a couple of tweaks (and a little warmer weather). The 12v compressors have been really obnoxious with NVH issues and short-lived. The sanden is going to use about 6hp but puts out a huge amount of air - or there are other compressor options like out of a range rover suspension or the extreme air units in the turboswede links. Nothing comes close to the sanden on output (8cfm & 300 psi). The other 12v jobs top out at about 150 psi and about 2-3 cfm) just have to figure out bracketry - and a wiring issue that has been burning up coils left and right. Should be back in action by April.

mthomson22 wrote: I would be more than happy to share the details of my setup with anyone who was interested. In reality the controls are garden variety Monarch brand that any adaptive equipment vendor should be able to get, same with the steering wheel cuff/spinner.

Even if the setup isn't that slick, the fact that you're participating in motor sports without the benefits of four functioning limbs might be inspirational to some of the troops coming home who left a piece or two of themselves somewhere else.

I gotta say, as a diabetic I constantly worry that I'm going to lose my feet someday and not be able to race. While it is obviously my goal for that not to happen, the fact that it doesn't have to be the end of the world in terms of driving is certainly encouraging, too.

As others have mentioned, this thread is awesome almost beyond words.

I had a close call as a teenager and got to taste what it might be like without the use of a couple of extremities (broke my pelvic bone in half - car accident). Even though I knew I was going to heal, it affected me in a way I can't quite describe. Some 15 years later I'm still shaken by that experience and it taps me on the proverbial shoulder every now and then.

All I got to say is, you guys have my respect. Waaaay freaking cool setups you have there.