Back in April, Maidstone and Mid-Kent Motor Club (MMKMC) were delighted to be asked to host the assessment day for the StreetCar Disabled Driver Scholarship 2025 at Ashford Cattle Market. There were nine entrants who had the opportunity to learn about Motorsport UK, MMKMC and the range of events they could take part in, and a chance to win a fully funded season of AutoSOLOs in an adapted car provided by Motorsport UK.  The entrants had a range of disabilities, and all had a chance to acclimatise to the test and the car in the morning before the competitive runs in the afternoon. Richard Olsen and Brian Sharpe, both experienced Autotest competitors, were on hand as mentors to provide guidance in the car.

After a tight competition at the end of the day, Gary Kelly was successful in being awarded the use of the Motorsport UK Yaris and free entry to club events for a year.  It was agreed that Scott Broom, as runner up, would also be included in the scholarship, and both were given free MMKMC membership.  Everyone had a great day with support from the StreetCar team and Richard Egger from Loughborough Car Club, both of whom have supported disabled drivers for several years.

The next event for the scholarship drivers was the MMKMC Autotest Taster Day at Headcorn Aerodrome on 4^th May.  This was another successful day for the participants who continued to learn about autotesting and car control.

Thanks to all the experienced club members who came along to support the beginners, Gary and Scott had a great time and improved greatly throughout the day.  It was also a learning curve for their passengers Richard and Brian, understanding the difference in driving an automatic with hand controls, as well as appreciating how much physical support you need as a driver with a disability. Aside from the great day of competition, there was a lot of banter and laughter all round.

Since then, Gary and Scott have taken part in four and five MMKMC evening grass Autotests each respectively and are constantly improving their technique and speed.

The next event MMKMC encouraged Gary and Scott to enter was the Sevenoaks Autosolo at Brands Hatch on 5^th July.  As there is no need for the handbrake or to be able to turn around and look behind you, it was thought they would enjoy this – what an understatement!  Everyone involved had a lot of fun.  Richard and Brian came up with a harness system to support Gary and Scott in the car, which helped a lot.  Richard was their passenger helping with navigation and encouraging them to go, go, go! They were also both passengers for Brian, which made them realise how much faster they could push – and they did!

There was a long paddock test in the morning, on which Gary knocked 6 seconds off his first timed run and Scott made a massive 21-second improvement. However, rain on the last run of the morning put paid to further improvements.

After a lunch in the warm and dry of the Hailwoods café, it stopped raining and it was time to drive the rally school stage.  The broad grins after driving each run certainly made the day worthwhile.  Again, Richard was the brave passenger and Scott and Gary sat in with Brian.

At the end of the event, they both had a passenger ride in a rally prepared Mk2 Ford Escort, which was definitely a highlight of the day for both of them.

Results-wise Gary was 27^th overall and Scott 30^th out of 42 entrants, so a fantastic result – Scott closing to within 3 seconds of Gary’s times and Gary’s fastest time less than 5 seconds slower than Brian! Watch out. A lot of people were impressed with their improvement over the day and plenty of new friendships made too.

Gary said afterwards “Thank you all so much for a fantastic day. I learnt a lot from Brian’s white-knuckle rides!”

Scott said “I loved it – what a great day. Thank you all so much!”

After their enjoyment at the Brands Hatch AutoSOLO, Richard encouraged Gary and Scott to enter other events further afield.  Gary took part in the Farnborough and District Motor Club event on 14^th September at Barton Stacey, and Scott in the Southern Car Club event on 28^th September at Thruxton.  As these events are a two-hour drive from Kent, Richard and his wife Emma took the Motorsport UK Yaris to the events for Scott and Gary, as well as competing themselves in their MX-5.  Richard again was their passenger, and both really improved during the day.

The weather was changeable at both events, but they enjoyed the rolling marshal systems used by both clubs and felt that it gave a different perspective on the event and the opportunity to meet other competitors. Everyone was so supportive and interested in the car and how they managed with automatic and hand control.

Gary has since bought his own car and used it in another Sevenoaks and District Motor Club AutoSOLO at Brands Hatch in October. He has a Honda CRX, which is a lot of fun. His 15-year-old son was his passenger, who absolutely loved the experience and wants to continue next year.

In October MMKMC ran a Production Car Trial and Richard encouraged Gary to give it a go. This time Emma Olsen was Gary’s passenger – a perfect choice given her previous car trial experience.  On arrival Gary was stunned to see the kind of hills he would be attempting. This turned out to be a fun day and a different challenge for Gary and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.  Lots of support from the other competitors too.

Emma said “I was surprised how well the automatic Yaris did up the hills, and Gary and I laughed most of the day.”

In October was the MMKMC Tarmac Autotest at Ashford Cattle Market where once again Richard was passenger for Gary.  This was another different experience with the grippy concrete surface, tight turns and lots of reversing.  The tests were longer than those on grass and well designed by Dave Cook, who is extremely experienced in Autotesting. Somehow, Gary and Richard worked a system of handbrake and gear changing to negotiate the tests – not always agreeing on when this should happen, leading to plenty of laughter.

Then in November was the last Autosolo of the year at Ashford where Gary used his own car again with his son in the passenger seat.  It was a very cold day so slippery surface in the morning, adding to the challenge of the new car.  Gary’s times improved during the day and the whoops of excitement after they set their fastest time on the last run of the day were great to hear.

This whole year has been such a great experience for us all.  Gary and Scott’s enthusiasm is infectious and being able to support them and see their improvement over the year has been fantastic.  They are hooked, and keen to continue with motorsport next year and beyond.

Gary said “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 Disabled Driver Scholarship will be continuing in 2026. To register your interest to take part in an assessment day, you can do so here.