4 replies to this topic

[tomsov]

I am a t12 paraplegic. looking at getting hand controls for a car that i am going to want to race. the vehicle that i am going to be looking at is a vehicle with an smg transmission or something similar due to the fact that stick shift is kinda out of the question. i have taken my drivers evaluation and notice that the "throw" to press the gas down is very long. i was using a permanent setup on an impala, but i am 6 ft. it just seemed like my left knee got in the way. i am wondering if someone has done this or looked for basically what i am looking for. an equivalent to a short throw shifter for the hand controls. inevitably this is not my first performance vehicle. it was an svt lighting that put me in my wheelchair, but i love going fast. quarter mile or road tracks. Thanks

[Tim13]

Myself, and the only other h/c person I know personally who races use plain old "down for gas forward to brake" Monarch style controls. I've had a lot of cars and the only ones that i haven't been able to adjust enough to keeping them from hitting my knees are the M3 and LP560 (6' tall also).
They're also very adjustable as far as improving throttle and brake response.

Here are a couple videos that might give you some ideas.

[baldfatdad]

tomsov, on 14 January 2011 - 04:43 PM, said:

I am a t12 paraplegic. looking at getting hand controls for a car that i am going to want to race. the vehicle that i am going to be looking at is a vehicle with an smg transmission or something similar due to the fact that stick shift is kinda out of the question. i have taken my drivers evaluation and notice that the "throw" to press the gas down is very long. i was using a permanent setup on an impala, but i am 6 ft. it just seemed like my left knee got in the way. i am wondering if someone has done this or looked for basically what i am looking for. an equivalent to a short throw shifter for the hand controls. inevitably this is not my first performance vehicle. it was an svt lighting that put me in my wheelchair, but i love going fast. quarter mile or road tracks. Thanks

There was a guy in Indy lights a few years back that had a butter fly steering wheel. When he pushed forward it braked. It has paddle shifter. Thumb for the gas.
I have made a few different ones of my own. On my jeep I have push to brake with a bike hand brake handle for the gas.
Evan Evans is an off road racer (google him) uses a motorcycle style throttle on a lever that is the brake, all operated with his right hand.
You could use a stick. Most race trans only use the clutch for launch, then shift without it.
I use to drive a stick on the street, but wife stopped me. Too abusive on the elbow.
There use to be an instructor at the Bounderant school in Portland or Seattle that was a gimp. Might check there for info.
Tried to send pic of my jeep, but couldn't do it, sorry.

[boffin]

Hi
This website makes some unique products for disabled drivers in motor sport and motorbike use not sure if they have anything suitable for you but worth a quick look.
WWW.motorcycledisabilityaids.com

[LuckyinKentucky]

The wells-Engberg's are pretty good the forward braking it the only travel in the control.
Throttle is motorcycle style, so you can quickly get used to different throttle positions needed to hold or change gears in an auto tranny.

One of the best benefits is that they are bolted to the column and because of the limited amount of travel required to operate it doubles as a good thing to hold onto while throttle or brake is being needed (always).