Second wheelchair-accessible race car in the works
Melissa Hancock, Cambridge







MELISSA HANCOCK, TIMES STAFF

Driver Jeff Shaw says the modified 1991 Thunderbird handles like any other car. Here, it can be seen there is a built in wheelchair ramp that folds up and is held in place when the passenger door is closed.

The passenger side has been modified to accomodate enough head room.


(Jun 15, 2007)
A one-of-a-kind race car will soon have to make room for another of its kind when building of the second wheelchair-accessible race car begins.

In December 2004, concept creator Denny Snider sat at his kitchen table, picked up his pen and began sketching the first-ever race car that could accommodate someone in a wheelchair.

"It is recognized and promoted as a gift from the world of racing to particularly those with special needs," said Snider.

Snider and a couple of his drivers attended Wednesday's Racing Against Drugs Open House and Cruise Night at the Waterloo Regional Police regional yards to give those with special needs a ride in the unique car.

Driver Shawn McGlynn will help Snider with the second wheelchair-accessible race car later this year when his professional racing season is done in September. The car, just like the first one, will be for entertainment purposes only.

McGlynn said their goal for the second car is to give it more of a Nextel Cup car look. Currently, he is in discussion stages with a builder of fibreglass bodies and is scouting out racing teams who may have spare parts to donate, such as a chassis, that would otherwise be scrapped by the team.

Wednesday night at the open house was McGlynn's first time driving the modified car, but he wasn't hesitant.

"I can't wait to take somebody for a ride," he said.

Driver Jeff Shaw said the modified 1991 Thunderbird handled just like any car. But right-hand turns are somewhat difficult because of the body modifications.

"Great minds think of great things," he said of Snider.

Shaw - who is also a professional driver - said he was looking forward to giving some people a ride Wednesday night and said he likes being involved in anything related to anti-drug awareness.

Shaw, who is the eighth member of his family to join the world of professional racing, said the concept of a modified car is something that someone should have come up with a long time ago.

"Like I told Denny," he said, "it's about time."
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