AN INSPIRATIONAL disabled Evesham man has launched an impassioned plea to reach the finish line in his funding bid to make his dreams of getting behind the wheel to make his motor racing debut a reality.
Proud petrol head and Cerebral Palsy sufferer Chris Carter hopes to finally get on the grid for first saloon car race at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire next Saturday (September 15).
But the 36-year-old father of two from Evesham needs to find the final £500 which will get him onto the starting grid and hopes kind-hearted town residents or business will show their support before the lights go green.
His quest has already inspired 1996 Formula One World Champion Damon Hill who supported the initial racing lessons Chris needed to gain his National B Racing Licence, but he still needs more backers to reach the final amount.
Chris impressed the racing instructors at Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix, when he spent the day training and qualifying for a national B Race Licence. He then decided to go all-out and buy a 200bhp Ford Focus ST racing car and set his sights on competing before the end of the 2018 season.
Unusually for a disabled racer, Chris’ two-litre race car is not significantly adapted and could be driven by an able-bodied driver.
“I did a static brake pressure test in a British Touring Car Championship race car recently and surprised the team as I had enough leg power to use a standard brake pedal.” Chris said.
At the same time Chris met Nicolas Hamilton, brother of four-time World F1 Champion Lewis, who despite also suffering from Cerebral Palsy has pursued a successful saloon racing career.
“Nic has been a great help with advice as he knows it takes more determination as a disabled person to put yourself out there and become a successful racing driver”, the father of two added.
He is also inspired by 19-year old single-seater racer Billy Monger who lost the lower part of both his legs in a horrific crash in 2017.
“He’s a genuinely nice lad who has faced death at a young age and yet came back for more and is still determined to succeed in motorsport,” Chris said.
“Growing up I was always being told what I would never be able to do because of my disability, but I’ve proven everyone wrong since I began my journey to become a racing driver.
“Now, I want my story to inspire other people like me to follow their dreams and not take no for an answer,” he added.
Chris is hoping to race his Ford Focus ST in the Castle Combe Grand Finale meeting but still needs help to cover entry fee, fuel and transport costs.
Anyone who can help can Chris on the grid can visit www.chriscarterracing.co.uk/support-me for more.
