May 7, 2007

Up to the Challenge in Several Ways

Auto racing is a challenging sport that requires keen eyesight, quick reflexes, steely judgment and a mastery of fear. Now, imagine having to bring all these skills together while being physically challenged. Yet a growing number of disabled persons are now participating in motorsport. To highlight its growing popularity, RediAuto Sport, America's only supplier of sports cars and adaptive equipment for the disabled, recently hosted the "RediAuto Sport Track Challenge," an autocross racing event for the disabled community at the Irwindale Speedway, just outside of Los Angeles.

The special event served as a forum, focusing on lifestyle options available to the physically challenged for the continuation of typically-mobile lives despite living with a disability that may inhibit their movements. One of the highlights of the event was a special autocross featuring two disabled Iraqi veterans, Greg Minow and Major Lewis Jr., who competed for the chance to drive a RediAuto Sport-outfitted Toyota pace car during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. A special autocross featured two disabled Iraqi veterans, Greg Minow and Major Lewis Jr., who competed for the chance to drive a RediAuto Sport-outfitted Toyota pace car during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Lewis was the winner of the event by a small margin.)

The RediAuto Track Challenge also featured autocross races pitting both disabled and able-bodied competitors against one another, vendors of products and services specifically for the disabled community, as well as a celebrity charity auction, music, and entertainment for the whole family. Additionally, Briana Walker, a well-known role model for the disabled community, participated in the autocross races.

"The able-bodied drivers won the best race times," said Daniel Reyes, founder of RediAuto Sport. "They had an unexpected advantage since they all had race-ready vehicles including slicks and racing tires, which seemed to shave off 10 seconds on the course. That just means next year our disabled drivers will have to compete on the same level."

RediAuto Sport was founded in 2004 to provide sports cars and adaptive speed equipment to the disabled community. It uses advanced vehicle integration techniques to improve the daily lives of people with disabilities and aging seniors who need assistance driving.