Motorsport UK is proud to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day with the launch of two initiatives aimed at increasing accessibility within our sport.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day aims to open discussions about access and inclusion for people with disabilities through digital products, websites and apps. Motorsport is one of the few sports in which disabled participants can compete alongside others but pathways to inclusion are still required for volunteers as well as competitors. To help alleviate these barriers, Motorsport UK has launched two initiatives:
Accessible Circuit Guidelines
The Accessible Circuit Guidelines document is designed as a practical reference resource bringing together current best practice in one place to make it easier for organisers, clubs, and venues to access and apply relevant guidance.
The guide consolidates existing knowledge and examples to support more informed decision-making when planning and delivering events. It covers key aspects of the event experience – from arrival and facilities through to participation and volunteering – with the aim of helping organisers create more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environments for people of all abilities.
By creating centralised guidelines, the intention is to support and enable progress across the sport, providing a clear and accessible starting point rather than acting as a formal mandate.
Head here to read the Motorsport UK Accessible Circuit Guidelines document.
Accessible Simulator
The new Motorsport UK Accessible Simulator has been created following the award of an FIA Grant and a tender process in which Base Performance Simulators was appointed as manufacturer.
The simulator was designed to offer as many adaptations as possible in one device, giving drivers the option of using various combinations of hands and limbs to drive. It features a new bespoke radial hand control which, unlike controls on a real-world car, has been designed as a separate controller from the foot pedals and does not prevent access to these.
To allow ease of access, including via wheelchair, the simulator’s driving seat rotates and can be adjusted for height and reach using motor-powered controls. Designed to interface with a range of existing and future adaptations, the new simulator could also be used to test and standardise adaptations that could be transferred over to real-world race cars.
The Accessible Simulator is built to same standard, design and build quality as Motorsport UK’s existing simulators and can used in the same manner by anyone. If you are interested in hiring the simulator for an event please email [email protected]
Simon Wright-Jones, Sustainability Manager said “By embedding accessibility into the fabric of the sport, Motorsport UK aims to remove barriers and enable more people to take part and feel they belong. Our new Accessible Circuit Guidelines helps drive inclusion at motorsport venues to competitors, volunteers and fans. We also wanted to show that sim racing is open to everyone and the availability of products that can be procured off the shelf from suppliers that will allow more drivers to get involved in the sport either through Esports or assessing the suitability of the various adaptations available to them.”
Head here for more information on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programmes and here for more information on Esports