Scotland’s first disabled race car driver

Teenager Competes in Scottish Mini Cooper Cup

Ally Chalmers has become Scotland’s first disabled driver to take to the racetrack after competing in the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup.

The 17-year-old from Glasgow made history after passing his Association of Racing Drivers (ARD) test – making him the first ever wheelchair user to do so in Scotland.

Chalmers is paraplegic after breaking his back, neck, collar bone and ribs in a skiing accident in March 2022.
 

Accident ended skiing hopes

Ally was with his mother, Carole, and brothers in Glencoe when he was in an accident just two weeks after he had come second in the Scottish national competition for junior skiers.

The injury to his back means he can no longer walk, but the former downhill skiing champion has not allowed this to diminish his enthusiasm for sport and competition.
 

Positive outcome at first event

In April, Chalmers raced in the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup at Knockhill in Fife, one of the foremost racing series in the UK, which has been a proving ground for many top drivers.

Despite being his first event, Chalmers was named runner-up Driver of the Day and is now looking forward to take part in future racing competitions.
 

New ambassador for Motability scheme

He has also been named as a new ambassador for the Motability Scheme, through which people receiving a qualifying disability allowance can choose an affordable and accessible vehicle.

Motability Operations, which runs the Scheme, plays an essential role in connecting 84,000 disabled customers to work, healthcare, education and independence in Scotland.
 

Motorsport provides a more equal environment

Over the last two years, Chalmers and his mum have thrown their efforts into ensuring he can continue to compete at the top level of sports.

The teen decided that following his injury he would try race car driving – a sport that would still provide an adrenaline rush and allow him to compete against the country’s top drivers on almost equal terms.

Over the last two years, he and his mum have worked hard to overcome a series of hurdles, including appealing for the rules to be updated in racing to allow for someone using hand controls to compete.

They have also worked with companies across the UK to make alterations to Ally’s new racing car, taking a Mini Cooper S, stripping it down and swapping parts into a Mini Cooper.
 

Ally Chalmers said:

“It was great to get out on the track at Knockhill. I have always loved competing and getting back into sport after my accident has been huge for me, and I didn’t crash.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work and I’ve had the support of so many people. It was my first race and I am a lot younger than a lot of the others, so I’m proud of how it went and really looking forward to racing again – and hopefully one day I can go professional.
“It’s great to be working with the Motability Scheme as one of their ambassadors. Although I do race, being able to take driving lessons and have a car I can drive in my daily life gives me my independence away from the track too.
“Having a car which is adapted allowing me to drive to meet my friends, go to the race track or anywhere else I need to go is great and means I’m not relying on my mum.”

Carole Chalmers said:

“Ally has always loved sport, and it was important to me that he could continue to not just participate, but compete, following his accident.
“There have been hurdles along the way, but Ally has remained determined to follow his new dream of becoming a champion race car driver and finding that adrenaline rush that he has always sought.
“I am so proud of Ally and it was great to see him out there realising his ambition and doing what he does best, competing. He might be the first disabled race car driver in Scotland, but hopefully his ambition will mean there will be many more who follow him into the sport.”
“Having a car through the Motability Scheme that is accepted for his use has been huge for Ally in terms of regaining his independence and allowing him to get out on the road and enjoy being able to drive like his peers.”

Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below

Further reading and resources

We have an area with information about motoring here

More about wheelchair car conversions

Make sure you don’t miss out on news from Independent Living

return to top