Bonneville Quadriplegic Dream

[aneed4spd67]

How am I gonna make this happen.
one rule book violation (cannot exit car under own power)
other rule book violation (no drivers license)
Scenario:
My friend was paralysed from the neck down in a surfing accident 30 years ago.
Since then he has gone on to do incredible accomplishments.
Most noteworthy as an inspiration to other people with handicaps and to not let their
disability hold them back.
A year and a half ago he brought up how he wished he could go 100mph in a car,
that never been done before by someone with no use of their arms and legs.
A friend donated his 1968 Firebird and we preceded thru enough avenues to get the car setup
for him to drive with a joystick (mouthpiece)
We are halfway to his goal as we got him up to 58mph around P.I.R. portland international raceway.
The big stage is Bonneville, where he can bring more public attention to the hurdles people with disabilities encounter.
We want to run in Aug/Set 2010 at one of the 3 events.
Kinda like a modern day version of the movie 'worlds fastest Indian'
So, 100mph is no friggin Rocket, and safety is number one, but how and when can we do this?
The no license and exit the car thing are holding us back from a run in the 130 club.
I appreciate any constructive criticism or advice anyone has.
An abandoned airstrip is not an option, our goal is Bonneville
thanks

[1212FBGS]

contact Mike Cook..... if anybody can make your buddies dream happen, its Mike..... Hey jr PM this guy your dads info....
Kent

[hotrod]

I can't speak for the powers that be but my impression is:

The no drivers license issue would be an administrative issue, I could imagine a "qualification" process could be worked out to satisfy the safety crew that he has adequate control of the vehicle.

The safety issue brings to mind some possibilities to minimize risk for a driver that could not self extract.
1. higher fire suit standards for this driver
2. higher standard of fire protection equipment in the drivers compartment
3. a chase vehicle that follows in close pursuit with people suited to assist extrication
4. Remote cutoff safety system similar to those used in the monster truck programs.

Good luck on finding workable solutions to the hurdles involved.

Larry

[jimmy six]

Check with USFRA............Good Luck

[A2WindTunnel]

In Section 1F: Only one person in vehicle durring compatition.

Would there be any exemption to the rule for this case?  If someone could sit shotgun in the car they could be there for safety.  Kind of like a drivers ed. instructor to take over if anything goes wrong (shut off switches or chute control), or first on the scene to help extract if need? 

[roadster589]

Pm sent and good luck too you I hope the dream comes true

[sockjohn]

one rule book violation (cannot exit car under own power)

This rule exists for a reason, for safety sake you want to make sure you do your best to prevent any real safety issues.

Doing so will also probably help in alleviating tech inspector fears.

The fire system rules are minimums, no reason you couldn't have multiple systems, completely separate so if one fails the other is still there and working.  Maybe even expand on hotrods suggestion of a remote cut off and add a remote fire extinguisher system as well. 

other rule book violation (no drivers license)

Can this one be corrected?  What prevents getting a drivers license in his state?  Would a neighboring state have more lax requirements that would allow him to get one?  I'm kind of thinking by hook or crook here, since you usually have to live in the state to get a license.



My other thought is for one of the private time meets.  They are not cheap, but never hurts to ask.

[Glen]

It would also require a open face helmet (not legal in SCTA) and any sort of impact would cause the control lever to be forced into his mouth. That is a major safety issue. I admire what he would like to do but I think the constraints will be difficult to get around.

[V8Pinto]

just trying to think outside the box here... 

Are there any two-person type vehicles at other Bonneville events (sidecar maybe?)

the joystick/mouth safety thing would be tough to get around, maybe voice control?  That would be a programmers dream.

Self extrication - what about an eject?

I bet you could get somebody computer savy to work on the software control.  If cell phones can voice dial, it can be done.  Shoot, voice control is available on the oscilloscopes I have at work.  You've already got the recognition part worked out, just have to port it to the right button.  100mph would be tough though.  Maybe experiment with an r/c car on the voice control thing. 

[mkilger]

eject,  this  coming from a pinto guy  . 

[sockjohn]

the joystick/mouth safety thing would be tough to get around, maybe voice control?  That would be a programmers dream.

Maybe experiment with an r/c car on the voice control thing. 

Sounds like a nightmare not a dream.

Voice activated in a noisy environment and situations where a persons voice would likely be under stress if not downright duress sounds like a recipe for failure.

FWIW, this is coming from a guy who writes software for a living and claimed making a robotic car follow that black line down the salt would be fairly easy to accomplish. (in the R/C car thread)

Think of how many small corrections you make to throttle and steering, every one of those would have to be verbalized adding a lag to the response on top of the lag from the system. 

I wouldn't want to be in the car for the first few runs of that system! 

Not an easy task, but probably possible. 

I think Glen has highlighted the biggest and most real safety issue, and probably the hardest to overcome.

[k.h.]

Perhaps he can get a sidecar passenger ride at BUB's.

[peglegcraig]

Sidecar...... Now your talking, and thinking. I bet that will get your buddy going plenty fast and should it all go to custard an open bike is plenty easy to exit from. Bub lets us carry passengers. Keep working and thinking on this one, the answers are out there.
 If I might be able to help I'll do what I can.
 I understand the power of dreams and aspirations, as a modified production human.
 Peg Leg Craig

[Stan Back]

I see a team coming together!

[Freud]

Maybe Mike could organize a special meet for him.

FREUD