To assistwithgettingaroundthetrack, experience andperformance. tubular tyres(£20-100+each)astheydevelop more expensivecarbonwheels(£1,400)and on spokewheelsbutmayprogressonto pressure racingtyres.Athletesusuallystart type technologyincludinglowprofilehigh striking thepushrim.Thewheelsusebicycle and toholdthehandinagoodpositionfor Specialist glovesareusedtoprotectthehand thin layeroffoam. often usea‘solid’kneelingcage,linedwith set), themoreexperiencedathleteswill allow smallmodifications(theseatwidthis be usedfornewandyoungerathletesto Whilst, itisusualforadjustablestrappingto footplate orakneelingconfiguration. club andgroupuse.Thechairmayhavea requirements ofa‘typicalstarterracer’for and seatingpreference,ortofitthegeneral can bebuiltfortheindividual’s width,height aluminium, titaniumandcarbonfibre.Chairs are madeusinglightweightmaterialssuch longer thanadaychairorsportschair, they competing onthetrackandroad.Much A racingwheelchairisspeciallydesignedfor The racingchair Wheelchair Racing Information, EquipmentandFunding: propel thechair by athletesto Pushrim: or ‘kneeling’position. usually ina‘sitting’,‘tucked’ Seat Cage: used with axlebetween rear wheels 2 xlarge Brake Lever frame design used in‘sitting’ Footplate: the brakeonfrontwheel. the locationforabrakeleverwhichactivates athletes onthetrack.Thehandlesprovide the steeringhandleisseldomusedby brief hitonthe‘compensator’,steeringby effects ofcamberontheroad.Apartfroma This alsoassistswith‘compensating’the the athlete’s armscankeepthepoweron. steering forthestraightandbendsothat compensator actslikearudder, holdingthe also complementregulartrainingprograms. training rollersprovidesomerespite,and athletes! Duringthewintermonthsindoor weather, soitisanidealsportforoutdoor Training continueswhateverthe(British) September –butroadracesallyearround. There isasummertrackseason–Aprilto workouts, ontrack,cyclepathsandroads. be inamixtureofgroupandindividual handcycling. Wheelchairracingtrainingcan triathlon alongsideswimmingand Wheelchair racingisalsoanelementofpara- marathon (andbeyond)ontheroad. 10,000m onthetrackandfrom1mileto Competitions rangefrom100mthroughto Opportunities quicker directionchanges for generalsteeringand Steering /Handlebar: wind direction etc ontheroad steering compensationforcamber, the track,andforfineadjustment and For steeringstraightsandbends on Compensator: front wheel 1 xsmall

page 1 Around the UK there are a number of involves both testing of muscle power, opportunities to try out the sport through coordination and impairment and also clubs, organisations and individuals with practical observation. A classification in spare chairs. There are also events providing another sport (i.e. wheelchair basketball) wheelchair racing opportunities and advice doesn't guarantee eligibility for wheelchair organised by WheelPower, British Wheelchair racing. For more information contact Racing Association, British Athletics and [email protected] or visit: Home Countries Athletics Associations. www.paralympic.org/Athletics/ It is strongly recommended that any new RulesandRegulations/Classification athlete should: N Try wheelchair racing first before Equipment & Suppliers committing to purchasing expensive A custom built racing chair alone will usually equipment. If possible get advice from a cost over £2,000 and the lead time varies training group, experienced athlete or a considerably between suppliers; some may coach. Correct seating position and take up to four months. A more generic chair pushing technique make a big difference. which can be used by clubs as a starter chair N Check classification eligibility (please see and at development events offers easier below) in accordance with IPC rules. transfer access, but tends to be slightly lower Classification is required to compete in in cost. Motivation market a reduced most track and major road events, specification ‘generic’ chair (around £590) in especially as one progresses in the sport. four sizes. Classification is coordinated by British The second hand market can be a good Athletics: starting point with chairs typically much less N T32 – T34 Cerebral Palsy (Diplegia than £1000 depending on condition and /Quadriplegia) specification. Aim for a second hand chair which has an element of adjustment; a new N T51 – T54 Principally Spinal Cord Injury racer’s position may evolve as the strength, (Tetraplegia & Paraplegia) but also physique and technique develops with Amputees, Limb Deficiency, Brittle training – weight can be lost and muscle Bones etc. tone can increase. N Track athletes need to be affiliated to an Note: whenever someone takes delivery of a athletics club in order to compete at new (to the individual) chair, he/she should competitions. ensure that the chair fits well and conforms Classification & Eligibility to the agreed specifications and condition. Classification for wheelchair racing is UK Suppliers are:

Information, Equipment and Funding: Wheelchair Racing coordinated by British Athletics nationally. N Bromakin Wheelchairs, Loughborough* This includes the British Athletics / IPC Master www.bromakin.co.uk List of athletes. N Draft Wheelchairs, near Huntingdon* A classification (or confirmation of eligibility) www.draftwheelchairs.com is required to enter all Parallel Success N Invacare (Top End), South Wales competitions and also major road races such www.invacare.co.uk as London Marathon. It is also needed for N Motivation Wheelchairs results to be recognised on the British www.sports.motivation.org.uk Athletics Rankings *with UK manufacture (www.thepowerof10.info). Classification Jamie Carter Others Suppliers: N Eagles Sportchairs, USA www.eaglesportschairs.com N Ox Engineering, Japan www.oxgroup.co.jp/oxgroup_site/ wheelchair-lineup.html N Sportaid, USA www.sportaid.com N Harness Gloves, USA www.harnessdesigns.com N Neuff Athletics Equipment, North Yorks www.neuff.co.uk page 2 The charitable bodies will have procedures for application and applicants will be expected to show commitment to their long term involvement in the sport. Commitment & Eligibility References from a coach or governing body are often required alongside an application for sporting equipment demonstrating: N Personal contribution CAAD day, Surrey N Dedication to training – using borrowed or second hand equipment

Spares and Replacements: Wheelchair Racing N Evidence of performances – competitions Spare tyres, inner tubes, brake blocks and to date other bicycle type equipment can be N Membership of an Athletics/Racing Club purchased through the larger bicycle N component shops and suppliers very cost Classification/eligibility – confirmed or effectively. For more, wheelchair racing pending specific equipment (gloves, push rims, etc), Conditions of Funding shop around with the above suppliers. Funded racing chairs may remain the Funding property of the charity or organisation. Once an athlete retires or gets a new racing chair, Racing wheelchairs are expensive pieces of old equipment should be returned or passed equipment which can break and need on, for example to a local club for new replacement through wear and tear, or if ill- athletes, with the funding organisations treated. There are costs involved in the permission. This is essential to maintain maintenance of the chair, wheels, tyres, growth and accessibility of the sport. gloves, as well as the costs of training and competition. This is the financial All funded chairs should be returned to commitment which is faced by people charities or donated to a local group – and contemplating getting involved in such an not sold on privately. If you have any equip - equipment based sport as wheelchair racing. ment to pass onto a group, please contact It needs to be budgeted for. [email protected]. This includes chairs, gloves, spare wheels and tyres. Many people do fully fund the sport themselves as their hobby, pass-time and Funding Sources and love. But for those less able to fully fund Information, Equipment and Funding: their sport, there are options available: Opportunities Below is a list of charities and organisations N Sponsorship – true sponsorship tends to to research if you need assistance in be for established, high performing racers purchasing a racing wheelchair. The below who are able to deliver publicity to the list is not exhaustive so ensure that you sponsor to support their part of the investigate all the options first. partnership, Adam Millichip Foundation N Prioritisation – making use (sale) of Individuals looking to improve their quality unused and unrelated assets from of life by taking up a new venture. Athletes previous hobbies and activities to new to the sport, not for competition generate funds. purposes. N Charitable donation – applying for www.adammillichipfoundation.org support to the range of different charity, Aspire trust and grant giving bodies. Supporting people with a spinal injury. Part It is likely that a combination of self and funding for new equipment only. assisted funding will be required. For www.aspire.org.uk/1aspire-grants.aspx example, many charitable bodies will not Barchester Charitable Foundation fully fund equipment, but will expect a Adults with a physical disability. £1,500 to contribution from the applicant. The time £5,000. between applying and receiving funding can www.bhcfoundation.org.uk/Default.aspx be long. It is often more likely that charities Boparan Charitable Trust will fund the purchase of equipment, rather Young people under 18 years

maintenance and general costs of the sport. www.theboparancharitabletrust.com page 3 Cash4Kids SF Charity Regional Disabled people – all ages. Up to £1,000 www.cashforkids.uk.com suggested limit. Caudwell Children www.sfcharity.co.uk Young people under 18 years. Means-tested. Variety www.caudwellchildren.com Young people up to 18 years Cerebra www.variety.org.uk Young people up to 16 years with Wheel Appeal neurological disability (i.e. CP, brain Priority will be given to: damage). Up to 80%. • Adults aged 18 and over who became www.cerebra.org.uk/English/gethelp/grants disabled within the last two years Children Today • Adults aged 18 and over who have never Up to 25 years. owned a sports wheelchair www.childrentoday.org.uk • Disabled young people who have never Challenged Athlete Foundation owned a sports wheelchair • Individuals wounded in the service of our IPC eligible – i.e. must have UKA country classification. Applications open: 1st www.wheelpower.org.uk/WPower/index.cfm September - 1st December. Max $2,500 /what-we-do/wheel-appeal/ www.challengedathletes.org WhizzKidz Childrens Hope Foundation Young people under 18 years www.childrenshopefoundation.org.uk www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/gethelp/getequipment Dickie Bird Foundation Women’s Sport Trust Young people under 18 years. Individuals and organisations can apply for www.thedickiebirdfoundation.co.uk grants of £500-£5000 to support female racers Dream It Believe It Achieve It www.womenssporttrust.com www.dreamitbelieveitachieveit.com Elifar Foundation Also local Lions Clubs, Rotary International, Young people and adults. Round Table etc www.elifarfoundation.org.uk Funding for Clubs & Groups Family Fund Sported Young people under 18 years. Means-tested. www.sported.org.uk www.familyfund.org.uk For clubs looking to establish new training Get Kids Going groups and provide chairs for athletes to try Young people up to 26 years wheelchair racing there are a number of www.getkidsgoing.com government and regional organisations that Information, Equipment and Funding: Wheelchair Racing Lord Taverners help. Your local County Sport Partnership Young people aged 8 to 25 years. 50% of should be able to help provide latest funding cost up to £1,500. Applications by Sports information and guidance whilst your Club Club, Association or School. and Coach Support Officer will be able to www.lordstaverners.org/sports-wheelchairs support you with the basic requirements for READY Charity setting up a group. Advice from experienced Young people under 21 years athletes and coaches should be sought when www.readycharity.org purchasing racing wheelchairs. Richard Overall Trust Club chairs provide the opportunity for Young people & Students inductions and support new athletes getting www.richardoveralltrust.co.uk started. It is important they are kept in good Roald Dahl Charity condition, safe to use and available for when Up to 25 years with an acquired brain injury new recruits arrive. Once involved, athletes (i.e. stroke etc). Up to £500. should seek their own racing chair when www.roalddahlcharity.org appropriate to support the growth of the club by enabling the club chairs to be used new members. Thank you to Wheelpower, British Wheelchair Racing Association and Job King for their support in creating this document. page 4