Hand Controls for Paraplegic Race Car Drivers

The objective of this paper is to show how a cost-effective hand control system was designed, built and tested to allow an amateur paraplegic driver to compete in a sports racer in SCCA road racing. The hand control system is based on a newly-designed steering wheel; incorporating the throttle, brake and shifting functions. On-board computer data is discussed which demonstrates generation of competitive braking g forces and shows multiple downshifts combined with braking into a chicane at Portland International Raceway. The compact size of the system also make it adaptable to most open wheel race cars.