Disabled vs. abled--who's really faster?

Have you ever wanted to drive a racecar, head down the strip, win a time trial? If so, mark your calendar for April 12, 2007, when RediAuto Sport is inviting persons with disabilities to compete against racing legends Carol Hollfelder and Lance Magin in a time trial event at Irwindale Speedway, located 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Both Hollfelder and Magin are paraplegics who race professionally using specialized hand controls to shift gears and accelerate/decelerate their vehicles.

The event, Victory Lap I, will not only give would-be racers a chance to test their speed, but there will also be exhibits featuring cars customized for disabled drivers, competitions and sporting exhibitions, celebrity appearances, ability information booths and vendors, as well as food booths.

The thrill and excitement of driving fast cars is made possible by RediAuto Sport, which distributes and installs an innovative hand driving system for stick shift automobiles designed for high performance driving. RediAuto Sport's signature and hand controls enable the driver to operate a five- or six-speed transmission as well as automatic transmissions with a design that's very intuitive. The system consists of an accelerator ring mounted to the steering wheel, a lever on the stick shift to control the clutch, and a leather-covered brake lever to replace a push/pull control. The whole system enables the driver to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. These new systems are designed so that people with disabilities can enjoy the challenge and control of stick shift driving or an automatic.

After a motorcycle accident at age 18 resulted in paraplegia, Hollfelder had to give up equestrian competition. Instead, she targeted the sports car racing circuit. She was a member of the Tiger Racing team, and competed on the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship circuit. She also is a former spokeswoman for Ford Mobility Motoring. Hollfelder recently placed second in the SU class at the National Auto Sports Association (NASA) Championship September 18, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Lance Magin agrees with Hollfelder that the new controls will open up a world of opportunity to drivers with disabilities. "The Irwindale event will show people what is available to them. They don't have to be stuck in a sedan or van anymore," he said.

Magin became a paraplegic after breaking his back in a motorcycle racing event. Although he came back within a year to race in the Baja 100 using hand controls, he took almost a 10-year hiatus from racing, due to depression, and a dependency on drugs and alcohol. After a friend asked him, "What would your rather do, race, or party?" he chose racing and hasn't looked back since.

He was the first paraplegic licensed to drive in NASCAR, with his Ford-supported team. He has also won his class in the Best in the Desert Racing Series. In 2005, Magin became acquainted with Reyes at an Abilities Expo, where Magin was appearing on behalf of Ford Motor Co. He was floored by the controls RediAuto offered. Magin soon became a spokesman for RediAuto.

To register for the event, or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Veronica Verve, at [e-mail].