Sim Racing Platform for Persons with Disabilities to Debut at SpeedwayEXPO
Qualifier will drive a modified race car under the lights at White Mountain Mortorsports Park
Salisbury, MA — Accessible Racing and SpeedwayEXPO are bringing the world of short-track racing to physically challenged individuals. Accessible Racing will debut its new ‘Arrive & Drive’ program at SpeedwayEXPO–a real-time, internet-based simulated-racing competition with equipment adapted for use by persons with disabilities. Physically challenged participants at SpeedwayEXPO will have the chance to qualify to drive a specially adapted race car on an area oval track in June.
The simulator system at SpeedwayEXPO is based on the popular iRacing software platform and a specialized driving module. “Most racing simulators require the use of pedals to drive the car,” explains Brian Hanaford, president of Fairfield, New Jersey-based, non-profit Accessible Racing. “Our platform uses modified hand and wheel controls, which allows persons who do not have the use of their legs to compete in sim racing.”
The Accessible Racing simulator will be available for use throughout show hours, and participants will be able to qualify for the chance to win a spot driving the world’s only ‘Arrive & Drive’ race car modified with hand and wheel controls at the Loon Mountain Driver Skills School and at White Mountain Motorsports Park under the lights on June 26, 2009.
Video therapy is a being increasingly used for rehabilitation therapy for patients recovering from strokes, broken bones, and combat injuries. Arrive & Drive is the first application involving the exciting world of race car driving.
On February 26th, the day before the opening of the SpeedwayEXPO, Accessible Racing will bring its racing simulator to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, MA. This visit will provide children with orthopaedic conditions the opportunity to operate the simulator, taking the sim car for a few laps around the track.
Von Brinker (left), Lee Perry (right) and the Accessible Racing Carin
the pits at the Pep Boys 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
For information on Accessible Racing, contact Brian Hanaford at 603-726-6477 or brianhanaford@aol.com, or visit www.accessibleracing.com. For information on Shriners Hospitals for Children, contact Bernadette White at 413-735-1291 or bwhite@shrinenet.org.
Coupons ($5 off) for discount admission to SpeedwayEXPO are available at more than 160 participating Sunoco dealers throughout New England. Tickets can also be purchased in advance to save $5 off the price at the gate ($16 for adults, children 10 and under free). These money-saving tickets are available at 978-465-9099 x 103 or online at SpeedwayEXPO.com.
Produced by Speedway Illustrated Magazine and sponsored by Sunoco, SpeedwayEXPO will be at the Big E, in West Springfield, MA, Feb. 27 – March 1, 2009. It is the largest event for drivers, teams, tracks, and racing vendors in the Northeast. SpeedwayEXPO will launch the 2009 racing season with more than 200 new race cars and old favorites, and hundreds of exhibits for drivers, crews, and fans from a dozen states and Canada. Thousands of enthusiasts pack more than 130,000 square feet of exhibit space to take part in seminars and demonstrations; see retailers of racing gear and memorabilia; and meet today’s and yesterday’s racing celebrities.
For the latest information on SpeedwayEXPO presented by Sunoco and to sign up to receive the free SpeedwayEXPO ’09 E-newsletter, visit SpeedwayExpo.com.
SpeedwayEXPO
The Big E – West Springfield, MA
Friday, February 27……….5:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, February 28……10:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday, March 1…………..10:00am – 5:00pm
Sources: Ted Hugger/SpeedwayEXPO PR