Knockhill and Baronmotorsports make history with track performance driving courses for disabled drivers

Since 2012 Baronmotorsports 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 Sport Scotland 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, Baronmotorsports have 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.

Matt Kitson of Baronmotorsports said “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. 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”.

Stuart Gray, Director of Events at Knockhill said, “We are delighted to be involved in this innovating and inclusive project, 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”.

The first ever pupil was Richard Craig from Aberdeenshire and feedback from Richard was very positive “I used to compete on Motocross bikes and thought that this was my first opportunity to get on track and have some motor sport adrenaline again. The course was great and I enjoyed the track and the tuition and I know a few of my friends will like to do this too.”

Baron Volvo 2

Pictured here is Richard with Senior Instructor Sandy Forrest, one of four instructors trained in the use of the Volvo and its modified driving controls.

Volvo controls

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 with the technicians there over-seeing the car and its requirements.

Anyone interested in finding more about the course should contact Matt of Baronmotorsports on matt@baronmotorsports.org.uk