Information, Equipment and Funding: Wheelchair Racing The racing chair compensator acts like a rudder, holding the steering for the straight and bend so that A racing wheelchair is specially designed for the athlete’s arms can keep the power on. competing on the track and road. Much This also assists with ‘compensating’ the longer than a day chair or sports chair, they effects of camber on the road. Apart from a are made using lightweight materials such brief hit on the ‘compensator’, steering by aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre. Chairs the steering handle is seldom used by can be built for the individual’s width, height athletes on the track. The handles provide and seating preference, or to fit the general the location for a brake lever which activates requirements of a ‘typical starter racer’ for the brake on the front wheel. club and group use. The chair may have a footplate or a kneeling configuration. Whilst, it is usual for adjustable strapping to Opportunities be used for new and younger athletes to Competitions range from 100m through to allow small modifications (the seat width is 10,000m on the track and from 1 mile to the set), the more experienced athletes will marathon (and beyond) on the road. often use a ‘solid’ kneeling cage, lined with a Wheelchair racing is also an element of para- thin layer of foam. triathlon alongside swimming and handcycling. Wheelchair racing training can Specialist gloves are used to protect the hand be in a mixture of group and individual and to hold the hand in a good position for workouts, on track, cycle paths and roads. striking the push rim. The wheels use bicycle type technology including low profile high There is a summer track season – April to pressure racing tyres. Athletes usually start September – but road races all year round. on spoke wheels but may progress onto Training continues whatever the (British) more expensive carbon wheels (£1,400) and weather, so it is an ideal sport for outdoor tubular tyres (£20-100+ each) as they develop athletes! During the winter months indoor experience and performance. training rollers provide some respite, and also complement regular training programs. To assist with getting around the track, the Seat Cage: Steering / Handlebar: usually in a ‘sitting’, ‘tucked’ for general steering and or ‘kneeling’ position. quicker direction changes 1 x small Brake Lever front wheel Footplate: Compensator: used in ‘sitting’ For steering straights and bends on Pushrim: used 2 x large frame design the track, and for fine adjustment and by athletes to rear wheels steering compensation for camber, propel the chair with axle between wind direction etc on the road 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 Wheelchair Racing 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: 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.