Disability Motorsport Scotland is launching on Tuesday, April 21st at 10am, Knockhill Race Circuit with the Scottish Minister for Sport and BTCC Champion (and President of SACC) John Cleland in attendance.
DMS are an Association that develops motorsport participation for disabled persons throughout the country, free of charge.
On the launch day, 18 drivers will get the opportunity to experience karting, a skid pan session in Baron Motorsports' Renault Megane and several track laps in their specially converted Volvo S60 T5 track car under the watchful eye and guidance of a senior Knockhill instructor. All of the cars and karts are fully adapted for disabled drivers with specialist hand controls (mechanical and electronic). This is made possible by Baron Motorsports (a SACC member club) who own the cars and are working with us on the event.
Stuart Gray, Knockhill Events and Marketing Director said, "We are pleased to be linked with the launch of Disability Motorsport Scotland here at Knockhill. There are a number of truly inspirational competitors already in racing and to make it more accessible for all, must be applauded."
A short presentation will happen at 10am at Kinnairds Restaurant at Knockhill and at 10.30am, John Cleland will take the Volvo for a few laps before the training starts. Full details of the Association can be found on their website www.disabilitymotorsport.webs.com, Facebook Disability Motorsport Scotland and Twitter @disabledracing.
The Association has the following ambitions over the next three years to indicate how they aspire to progress;
Our agenda
2015: Launch day at Knockhill! Press, special guests, media, politicians and our own 'stig'. We have a fully adaptable car in place to accommodate people with a wide range of disabilities. We wish to hold at least one event per quarter, giving people the opportunity to explore racing and other aspects of the sport, in addition to learning about marshalling and other duties. We will develop a strong relationship with Knockhill and associated partners in the motorsport industry over the course of the year and have a patron to work with, in a developmental capacity. Additionally, we will liaise with companies pre and post launch to secure corporate support for the forthcoming seasons. We will also purchase a basic spec car with funds raised from sponsorship towards the end of 2015.
2016: Have a formalised relationship with Knockhill, Ingliston, Crail and liaise with car clubs to share the events calendar. This will attract a wider audience. We will work with Scottish Motor Sports and our most proficient driver will undertake an intensive coaching programme, run via Knockhill. This is the year we will develop driver competence and form a racing team to target corporations for major sponsorship.
2017: Start racing competitively whilst delivering quarterly events for other drivers. We will purchase higher spec cars for the purpose of formula ford track racing, dependent upon our success throughout the seasons, and establish a relationship within formal racing circles.
The contact for Disability Motorsport Scotland Co-ordinator is Kieran Burns who can be contacted on 07795 072394 or Kieran Burns (kieranburns30@gmail.com).