A record 20 drivers took part in the StreetCar Disabled Driver Scholarship, held at three locations across the UK.

Created by Motorsport UK in partnership with Loughborough Car Club, the scholarship aims to make the sport more accessible for disabled participants, drawing on the success of the StreetCar initiative – celebrating grassroots motorsport opportunities for all.

Eight drivers took part in Kent, and subsequently four took part in Norfolk, undertaking a series of regulatory tests to win a fully funded season of AutoSOLOs and access to an adapted car at either Maidstone and Mid Kent Car Club, the Sporting Car Club of Norfolk or Loughborough Car Club.

Jack Stanton and Callum McCormick were the winners of the Scholarship during the event run by the Sporting Car Club of Norfolk, with 15-year-old Callum being the youngest recipient.

Paul Barker, one of the two Loughborough winners, comments, “This is something as a wheelchair user I didn’t expect to be accessible. Out of the blue I was accepted to attend a fully funded day with other disabled drivers to have a go at Autotest motorsport.

“I attended the day with several other applicants and enjoyed the conversation and interaction with other petrolheads, we enjoyed a breakfast together and registration. After that the fun started. We all had a chance to observe and roll arounds the course, then drive at a slow pace in an adapted vehicle to learn the course several times.

“I was one of the lucky ones to be awarded a scholarship and am looking forward to my first event. Thank you to everyone who made this day happen and I look forward to seeing old and new friends again.”

Richard Egger, Competition Secretary, Loughborough Car Club, said, “We met some nice people, introduced them to competitive driving, the marshals had a great day, the sun shone, and we ended up with two highly suitable winners. Now we are looking forward to running our two scholars on their first real event next week.”