Para Racers Academy: Promoting Inclusion in Sim Racing
Introduction to Para Racers Academy
UK-based Quatermass Motorsport has recently launched the Para Racers Academy. This initiative is designed to foster diversity and inclusion within the esports and sim racing communities. The academy is unique in that it comprises ten disabled and neurodiverse drivers, all set to compete in high-profile sim racing events such as the iRacing Special Events, SRO GT Championships, and the Virtual Le Mans Series.
The Vision Behind Para Racers Academy
The Para Racers Academy aims to create an inclusive environment where disabled and neurodiverse individuals can pursue competitive racing careers. The academy is managed by a team of disabled and neurodiverse individuals, ensuring that the needs and challenges of its participants are fully understood and addressed. The team collaborates with various organizations, government bodies, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), sponsors, and key figures in the disabled and parasports communities.
Addressing Cost Barriers in Sim Racing
One of the primary goals of the Para Racers Academy is to reduce the high costs associated with adapting racing equipment and infrastructure for disabled drivers. Quatermass Motorsport plans to work closely with companies that produce the necessary adaptive products to make sim racing more accessible. This collaboration aims to develop cost-effective solutions that will lower entry barriers for disabled racers.
The Legacy and Partners of Quatermass Motorsport
Founded in 2011 by Max Spooner, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at 17, Quatermass Motorsport has a rich history. Initially, the team focused on conventional racing but expanded into professional sim racing six years later. They joined Team BRIT’s esports division, which is composed entirely of disabled drivers, before becoming an independent team again in 2022.
The team has forged partnerships with several entities, including:
- Home design company Colour By Numbers
- The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD)
- Racing livery design company Shahzad Moto Designs
These partnerships are crucial in supporting the team’s mission to make sim racing more inclusive.
Spooner’s Vision for Para Racers Academy
Max Spooner, the founder of Quatermass Motorsport, has a clear vision for the Para Racers Academy. He states, “Our goal isn’t just to create a team of disabled sim racers. We want to support these individuals to become better versions of themselves. With our support, we want to teach them the skills required to be competitive in sim racing that they can also use in their careers and to help integrate them into society.”
Broader Developments in the Sim Racing Scene
The launch of the Para Racers Academy is part of a broader trend of significant developments within the sim racing community. For instance, the official series for Formula 1, known as the F1 Sim Racing World Championship, made a comeback this April after an incomplete 2023 season. Additionally, major entities like Italian race car manufacturer Dallara and gaming PC manufacturer AK Informatica have ventured into competitive virtual racing by launching the Dallara-K Esports sim racing project.
Conclusion
The Para Racers Academy represents a pivotal step towards greater inclusion and diversity in the world of sim racing. By providing a platform for disabled and neurodiverse drivers, Quatermass Motorsport is not only promoting competitive racing but also fostering personal and professional growth for its participants. As the sim racing community continues to evolve, initiatives like the Para Racers Academy will play an essential role in shaping a more inclusive future.
