My name is Andrew Eldridge and I’m passionate about inclusivity. Disabled drivers are under-represented in motorsport, and I’d like to shift the dial. It’s not that disabled drivers can’t do it, but some don’t realise yet, that they can. Some people with disability have been suppressed to the point of surrender. I want to give them new hope. Representation matters!

I see a future where it is unremarkable that a person in a wheelchair, or a person with a neurological condition, or a person with an amputation, or a person with any other type of condition, is racing alongside everyone else. If they’re safe on the track, and an external observer can’t tell their physical condition from outside the car, let them race!

There are outstanding role models overcoming the barriers and stigma of disability in motorsport - people pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible - people showing us new technological solutions. Mats Öhman competes at the highest levels in rallycross with a significant spinal injury, using extraordinary assistive technology that he has largely developed himself. Frédéric Sausset is a quadrilateral amputee who has raced at Le Mans. The car is modified so he can control brake and accelerator using his residual limbs and he steers with a prosthesis. The car has a safety system that enables him to exit the car rapidly in the event of an emergency.

Motorsport is a great equaliser. There is often a technological solution that completely compensates for a driver’s physical challenges. Team Brit and MME Motorsport have done great work developing new and better hand control solutions.

I’m a well-aged, moderately talented, amateur motor racer who races one-handed. Those are my challenges in decreasing order of significance – age, talent and disability! I have some experience racing karts in the 90s, but I began circuit racing only a few years ago in a Radical SR3. I use modified shift paddles, so up and down shifts can be done with one hand.

In 2021 I competed only in the local races at Wanneroo. In 2022, I raced 3 rounds of the national series, Radical Cup Australia, racing at Phillip Island, Wanneroo and The Bend. Despite only competing in 3 of the 5 rounds, I finished 15th out of 33 outright, and 2nd out of 14 in the Masters’ category. A highlight was qualifying 6th outright at Phillip Island. In 2023 I raced only one round of the national series, racing at Sydney Motorsport Park where I finished 2nd in Masters. See www.radicalcupaustralia.com.au/standings

If I am able to compete in all 5 rounds of the national series in 2024, I stand a good chance of improving on my previous results. I think I have one shot at this, and it is 2024.

There is a fourth challenge of course, and that is funding. This is an expensive endeavour for someone who works an office job, on a normal salary. My expenses include tyres, maintenance, and fuel. Each race has an entry fee. Each interstate race has car transportation costs, as well as travel and accommodation expenses. For each race I am well supported by the team at Arise Racing, but I pay for the race support of the mechanics and coaches. It is entirely likely that there will be some body work and mechanical repairs required during a full season of rough and tumble racing. On average each interstate race costs approximately $25,000.

By contributing to this project, you will help turn around the perception that physically challenged people can’t do motorsport. You will help improve the participation rate. You will help to show that disability is compatible with exhilarating, physical activities. I look forward to your support, and I thank you for it. Andrew.