Above watch: A Lethbridge drift-driver lost the use of his legs in a dirt bike crash, but is finding his hands are just as good as his feet when it comes to controlling a custom car. Blake Lough reports.
After suffering a motocross injury that shattered his body and took away the use of his legs, motorsports enthusiast and drift-driver Rob Parsons decided to take matters into his own hands. The Lethbridge native is getting worldwide attention thanks to his unique invention, and now it’s helping others who have lost use of their legs.
Parsons built his car from scratch, including a completely unique steering column and electronic clutch system that allows him to accelerate, brake and switch gears all with his hands.
“There were no programs available to me to go drive a race car again which is what I wanted to do,” said Parsons. “So I took it in my own hands and made it happen.”
After a year and a half of trial and error, Parsons found success with his invention. So much so, he decided to share his creation with other driving enthusiasts who have lost the use of their legs by creating the Chairslayer Foundation.
“I’ve had a lot of people help me out and this is a good way to give back.”
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The first to try Parsons’ invention was 17 year old Ben Conolly from the United Kingdom, a young man who dreamed of drifting, but never thought it would be possible in a wheelchair. At a race track in Willow Springs, California, Parsons showed Conolly how to drive his car.
“We saved the kid’s life through motor sports,” said Parsons. “It was amazing to see him pick it up so quickly. It was instant and that just shows how complex the hand controls are but they are so simple to get used to.”
It’s given the Lethbridge native the confidence to continue expanding his project. Parsons says he’s had calls from Japan, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, all expressing interest in his feet-free system.
Parsons is hoping to get a manufacturer on board to bring in more cars with his unique system and expand the Chairslayer program. He believes his invention can also be used in regular cars in the future, to help people with disabilities get back on the road.
To find out more about the Chairslayer Foundation, visit: http://www.chairslayer.com
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