Seventeen-year-old Ally Chalmers (below) has become Scotland’s first wheelchair-using race car driver after competing in the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup.
The Glasgow teen, who became paraplegic following a skiing accident, is the first wheelchair user in Scotland to pass the Association of Racing Driver Schools test.
Once a rising star in junior skiing, Ally’s accident in 2022 left him with severe spinal injuries. Refusing to give up on competitive sport, he turned to motor racing.
Over the past two years, Ally and his mother, Carole, have worked to adapt a Mini Cooper for hand-control driving and advocate for inclusive racing rules. Carole hopes his journey will inspire more disabled racing drivers.
In April, Ally debuted at Knockhill in Fife, earning runner-up Driver of the Day. “It feels incredible to be back competing,” says Ally.
Now an Ambassador for the Motability Scheme, he drives an adapted car that gives him independence off the track.
