Adaptive Kart Racing in Tucson
When most people hear someone talking about race karts, they envision the go-cart someone in the old neighborhood had as a kid. The lawn mower engine maybe got you going 20 miles per hour. Well, that’s not quite what we’re talking about. Kart racing is true high speed racing. The fastest karts approach 130 mph, and the racing is very competitive. Equally amazing is the cost to get involved.
Down in Tucson, there is a program at the Musselman Honda Circuit Racetrack (www.mhcircuit.com) for people who need hand controls. The program is new and still evolving but they have some nice karts and the organizers have programs designed to get people with disabilities into the driver’s seat without taking too much dough out of your wallet.
Charlie Quiroz is the president of the Southern Arizona Kart Club. He and Bryan Barten, UoA coach for quad rugby and tennis, got together and have managed to get some competitive karts donated to the program, and they have adapted the brakes and accelerator to hand controls.
Accessing Arizona caught up with Charlie, Bryan and a few other people with various disabilities at the track last week. After receiving a few safety rules and driving tips, everyone grabbed a helmet and got to have some fun. Karts aren’t exactly easy to transfer into, so they’ve created a slick transfer bench that gets you over the wheel and chassis and allows the transfer to happen easier.
Kart tracks are flat and have many turns. Race karts have a snug -fitting contoured seat which works great for people lacking upper body balance. One of the three karts is a CRG model with a Honda GX200, 4-cycle engine. The kart tops out at about 45 mph. Charlie created a clever throttle trigger for the right hand, and a hydraulic hand brake is adapted to the left side of the steering wheel.
The program needs more sponsors to expand. Anyone interested can reach Charlie at charlie@mhcircuit.com.
Similar WheelChair Arizona Posts:
- Road Tripping thru Arizona All to often its the journey that makes a destination...
- Firebird Raceway When it comes to attending a sports event, there is...
- El Portal Inn If you are looking for a quaint escape and want...
- Wheelies Steal The Show At Adaptive Sports Expo in Prescott Arizona Disabled Sports sponsored the 1st Annual Northern Arizona Disabled...
- Cresent Moon Picnic Area Editor’s note: This entry marks the first of hopefully many...
3 Responses »
Leave a Response
Entries(RSS)
Great find! I was not aware of this program, and think it will be of interest to many.
Were you able to operate the Kart? Does one need full upper-body and finger movement to utilize these hand controls? And, finally, what is a ballpark figure on the cost?
I think we should introduce this idea to some of the Kart tracks in Phoenix!
Thanks for your Website!
Don, Currently the program is for people with hand function. There are some adaptations out there that could be used to make the kart steer/accelerate/brake more like a power chair, but not cheap. Charlie, who runs the track is a big advocate of the program. He just needs some funding to take it the next step.
Excellent read. Eric Lazar of Karting 2 Live has a program that is growing momentum here in California for people with lower extremity limitations. We are currently in the process of updating the website but we would appreciate anyones visit and comments.
I will contact charlie for more information.