Motorsport UK is delighted to announce that the Disabled Drivers Scholarship returns for 2026 with bigger ambitions than ever. As part of our mission to get more people enjoying motorsport, more often, we will be offering the chance to win a fully-funded season of competition in a specially-adapted car.
This brilliant initiative, created by Loughborough Car Club and now powered by Motorsport UK, has made the sport much more accessible over the last decade. A perfect partner with StreetCar – Motorsport UK’s campaign to drive awareness of competing in everyday road cars – opening up the sport to all, the scholarship has grown to provide more funded places each year, helping many disabled drivers both enjoy and progress in the sport.
Scholarship assessment days in the Loughborough and Bristol areas have just been announced with more to be confirmed. The day is designed to be fun, with drivers given the opportunity to experience the range of vehicle adaptations available before taking part in a series of tests designed to assess car control, determination and attitude. Drivers can find out how easy it is to compete and the most promising driver on each day will win a fully-funded season of AutoSOLO events in the adapted Toyota Yaris.
The Yaris has an automatic transmission and various adaptations available, including hand-operated accelerator and brakes, a choice of accelerator positions, additional upper back support to give drivers more stability and a choice of steering wheels with and without a simple spinner. Once fitted with the correct adaptations drivers can, unlike many sports, compete with everyone.
AutoSOLO is the perfect entry into motorsport; it’s fun and safe, rewarding precision and car control with slalom sections and longer turns, with the aim of completing the course in the correct direction as quickly and accurately as possible.
One of 2025’s scholarship winners, Gary Kelly competed at several events in one of the adapted Yaris cars last year and has since bought his own Honda CRX for the next step. He said: “The scholarship is such a great opportunity for disabled drivers that Motorsport UK are providing along with everyone else who contributes their time. I remain hugely grateful for the opportunity. I have continued my membership with the Maidstone and Mid-Kent Motor Club and now compete with my own adapted car that I am tuning up to improve on my times.
“Being in a car is my favourite place to be, and behind the wheel on track is just the best fun ever – especially with a group of like-minded people who are even crazier than I am. It was great to be able to bring my son along and see him enjoying it too.”
The Bristol Motor Club assessment day is being held on Saturday, 11th April at Aust Services, Bristol BS35 4BH. To apply, please click here
Loughborough Car Club is holding its assessment day on Friday, 29th of May at Coalville Rugby Club, LE67 5PF. To apply, please click here
Click here for more details of StreetCar and here for Motorsport UK’s inclusion programmes.