Disabled driving controls

[rs workshop equip]

Hi All, Has anyone done or seen a Caterham fitted with hand controls for a disabled driver?

I've been searching what options are around and suitable, but they appear few and far between.

Has anyone fitted an auto box to one!

I have spoken direct to Caterham, and they have little knowledge of anything, although they did say a R500 customer fitted hand controls but didn't know what!

I'm keen to own one for the odd weekend scoot and some track days.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Robin

[Shaun_E]

There was one member of the Lotus 7 Club who had hand controls fitted to a motorbike engined car. He was a wheelchair user and had throttle, brake and clutch as hand controls. At least with the bike engine, the clutch was relatively light and only required for pulling away. The car was sold a few years ago and had the hand controls removed. I've no idea who did the conversion but someone in the club may know.

[CharlesElliott]

There was a racer in the Caterham Graduates who had some hand controls which certainly included a pneumatically operated gear change. I think I know the name but am not 100% sure so would not want to post it here. But it is definitely possible and I think he is still racing in other championships.

[Tupwood]

About 20 years ago I was producing the magazine for Mobility Choice – the disabled drivers charity that organised the Mobility Roadshow event. We ran a story about a Caterham driver who used hand controls in his car – so it has certainly been done. I'm not sure if Mobility Choice exists any more, but I would suggest looking them up as a starting point.

[rs workshop equip]

Thank you for the info so far.

Interesting that there are some people racing with hand controls, would be good to see what they are using and how it works.

I've looked a several of the Quick Shifter type companies with a view to paddle change and the gearbox/clutch issue for a wheelchair user, its finding the right people that have some experience in this field that's difficult. The normal push brake and pull accelerator lever would work i believe its just finding who can do the gearbox/clutch conversion to a good reliable standard.

I've seen the Team Brit controls, and they look very nice, although at circa 8K i'm not sure its viable for a few track and local scoot around days.

Anyway i will keep searching and listening to any advice.

Thanks again guys

[4packet]

Bike engined Indy. Nothing to do with me though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FteDAfM6VkY

[framerateuk]

I remember seeing on DCL's Duratec in Detail blog that he had a sadev gearbox with paddles that had the clutch powered by compressed air (I think he used a pressurised can, but I guess a compressor could be fitted?).

[BertBert]

framerateuk said:

I remember seeing on DCL's Duratec in Detail blog that he had a sadev gearbox with paddles that had the clutch powered by compressed air (I think he used a pressurised can, but I guess a compressor could be fitted?).

Are you sure the air was used to power the clutch? It looks more like a mechanism to move the gear lever to me. Could be wrong though.

[framerateuk]

BertBert said:

Are you sure the air was used to power the clutch? It looks more like a mechanism to move the gear lever to me. Could be wrong though.

Oh quite possibly. I'd assumed the gearchange on the car had been entirely automated via it but yeah I guess it might just have been the paddles.