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Information, Equipment and Funding: Wheelchair Racing

The racing chairA racing wheelchair is specially designed forcompeting on the track and road. Muchlonger than a day chair or sports chair, theyare made using lightweight materials suchaluminium, titanium and carbon fibre. Chairscan be built for the individual’s width, heightand seating preference, or to fit the generalrequirements of a ‘typical starter racer’ forclub and group use. The chair may have afootplate or a kneeling configuration.Whilst, it is usual for adjustable strapping tobe used for new and younger athletes toallow small modifications (the seat width isset), the more experienced athletes willoften use a ‘solid’ kneeling cage, lined with athin layer of foam.

Specialist gloves are used to protect the handand to hold the hand in a good position forstriking the push rim. The wheels use bicycletype technology including low profile highpressure racing tyres. Athletes usually starton spoke wheels but may progress ontomore expensive carbon wheels (£1,400) andtubular tyres (£20-100+ each) as they developexperience and performance.

To assist with getting around the track, the

compensator acts like a rudder, holding thesteering for the straight and bend so thatthe athlete’s arms can keep the power on.This also assists with ‘compensating’ theeffects of camber on the road. Apart from abrief hit on the ‘compensator’, steering bythe steering handle is seldom used byathletes on the track. The handles providethe location for a brake lever which activatesthe brake on the front wheel.

OpportunitiesCompetitions range from 100m through to10,000m on the track and from 1 mile to themarathon (and beyond) on the road.Wheelchair racing is also an element of para-triathlon alongside swimming andhandcycling. Wheelchair racing training canbe in a mixture of group and individualworkouts, on track, cycle paths and roads.

There is a summer track season – April toSeptember – but road races all year round.Training continues whatever the (British)weather, so it is an ideal sport for outdoorathletes! During the winter months indoortraining rollers provide some respite, andalso complement regular training programs.

Footplate:used in ‘sitting’frame design

Brake Lever

Compensator: For steering straights and bends onthe track, and for fine adjustment andsteering compensation for camber,wind direction etc on the road

1 x smallfront wheel

2 x large rear wheelswith axle between

Steering / Handlebar: for general steering andquicker direction changes

Seat Cage: usually in a ‘sitting’, ‘tucked’or ‘kneeling’ position.

Pushrim: usedby athletes topropel the chair

Around the UK there are a number ofopportunities to try out the sport throughclubs, organisations and individuals withspare chairs. There are also events providingwheelchair racing opportunities and adviceorganised by WheelPower, British WheelchairRacing Association, British Athletics andHome Countries Athletics Associations.

It is strongly recommended that any newathlete should:

� Try wheelchair racing first beforecommitting to purchasing expensiveequipment. If possible get advice from atraining group, experienced athlete or acoach. Correct seating position andpushing technique make a big difference.

� Check classification eligibility (please seebelow) in accordance with IPC rules.Classification is required to compete inmost track and major road events,especially as one progresses in the sport.Classification is coordinated by BritishAthletics:

� T32 – T34 Cerebral Palsy (Diplegia/Quadriplegia)

� T51 – T54 Principally Spinal Cord Injury(Tetraplegia & Paraplegia) but alsoAmputees, Limb Deficiency, BrittleBones etc.

� Track athletes need to be affiliated to anathletics club in order to compete atcompetitions.

Classification & EligibilityClassification for wheelchair racing iscoordinated by British Athletics nationally.This includes the British Athletics / IPC MasterList of athletes.

A classification (or confirmation of eligibility)is required to enter all Parallel Successcompetitions and also major road races suchas London Marathon. It is also needed forresults to be recognised on the BritishAthletics Rankings(www.thepowerof10.info). Classification

involves both testing of muscle power,coordination and impairment and alsopractical observation. A classification inanother sport (i.e. wheelchair basketball)doesn't guarantee eligibility for wheelchairracing. For more information contactclassification@uka.org.uk or visit:

www.paralympic.org/Athletics/RulesandRegulations/Classification

Equipment & SuppliersA custom built racing chair alone will usuallycost over £2,000 and the lead time variesconsiderably between suppliers; some maytake up to four months. A more generic chairwhich can be used by clubs as a starter chairand at development events offers easiertransfer access, but tends to be slightly lowerin cost. Motivation market a reducedspecification ‘generic’ chair (around £590) infour sizes.

The second hand market can be a goodstarting point with chairs typically much lessthan £1000 depending on condition andspecification. Aim for a second hand chairwhich has an element of adjustment; a newracer’s position may evolve as the strength,physique and technique develops withtraining – weight can be lost and muscletone can increase.

Note: whenever someone takes delivery of anew (to the individual) chair, he/she shouldensure that the chair fits well and conformsto the agreed specifications and condition.

UK Suppliers are:� Bromakin Wheelchairs, Loughborough*

www.bromakin.co.uk� Draft Wheelchairs, near Huntingdon*

www.draftwheelchairs.com� Invacare (Top End), South Wales

www.invacare.co.uk� Motivation Wheelchairs

www.sports.motivation.org.uk*with UK manufacture

Others Suppliers:� Eagles Sportchairs, USA

www.eaglesportschairs.com� Ox Engineering, Japan

www.oxgroup.co.jp/oxgroup_site/wheelchair-lineup.html

� Sportaid, USAwww.sportaid.com

� Harness Gloves, USAwww.harnessdesigns.com

� Neuff Athletics Equipment, North Yorkswww.neuff.co.uk

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Jamie Carter

Spares and Replacements:Spare tyres, inner tubes, brake blocks andother bicycle type equipment can bepurchased through the larger bicyclecomponent shops and suppliers very costeffectively. For more, wheelchair racingspecific equipment (gloves, push rims, etc),shop around with the above suppliers.

Funding Racing wheelchairs are expensive pieces ofequipment which can break and needreplacement through wear and tear, or if ill-treated. There are costs involved in themaintenance of the chair, wheels, tyres,gloves, as well as the costs of training andcompetition. This is the financialcommitment which is faced by peoplecontemplating getting involved in such anequipment based sport as wheelchair racing.It needs to be budgeted for.

Many people do fully fund the sportthemselves as their hobby, pass-time andlove. But for those less able to fully fundtheir sport, there are options available:

� Sponsorship – true sponsorship tends tobe for established, high performing racerswho are able to deliver publicity to thesponsor to support their part of thepartnership,

� Prioritisation – making use (sale) ofunused and unrelated assets fromprevious hobbies and activities togenerate funds.

� Charitable donation – applying forsupport to the range of different charity,trust and grant giving bodies.

It is likely that a combination of self andassisted funding will be required. Forexample, many charitable bodies will notfully fund equipment, but will expect acontribution from the applicant. The timebetween applying and receiving funding canbe long. It is often more likely that charitieswill fund the purchase of equipment, rathermaintenance and general costs of the sport.

The charitable bodies will have proceduresfor application and applicants will beexpected to show commitment to their longterm involvement in the sport.

Commitment & EligibilityReferences from a coach or governing bodyare often required alongside an applicationfor sporting equipment demonstrating:� Personal contribution� Dedication to training – using borrowed

or second hand equipment� Evidence of performances – competitions

to date� Membership of an Athletics/Racing Club � Classification/eligibility – confirmed or

pending

Conditions of FundingFunded racing chairs may remain theproperty of the charity or organisation. Oncean athlete retires or gets a new racing chair,old equipment should be returned or passedon, for example to a local club for newathletes, with the funding organisationspermission. This is essential to maintaingrowth and accessibility of the sport.

All funded chairs should be returned tocharities or donated to a local group – andnot sold on privately. If you have any equip -ment to pass onto a group, please contactdisability@englandathletics.org. This includeschairs, gloves, spare wheels and tyres.

Funding Sources andOpportunitiesBelow is a list of charities and organisationsto research if you need assistance inpurchasing a racing wheelchair. The belowlist is not exhaustive so ensure that youinvestigate all the options first.Adam Millichip FoundationIndividuals looking to improve their qualityof life by taking up a new venture. Athletesnew to the sport, not for competitionpurposes. www.adammillichipfoundation.orgAspireSupporting people with a spinal injury. Partfunding for new equipment only.www.aspire.org.uk/1aspire-grants.aspxBarchester Charitable FoundationAdults with a physical disability. £1,500 to£5,000.www.bhcfoundation.org.uk/Default.aspxBoparan Charitable TrustYoung people under 18 yearswww.theboparancharitabletrust.com

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CAAD day, Surrey

Cash4KidsRegional www.cashforkids.uk.comCaudwell ChildrenYoung people under 18 years. Means-tested.www.caudwellchildren.comCerebraYoung people up to 16 years withneurological disability (i.e. CP, braindamage). Up to 80%.www.cerebra.org.uk/English/gethelp/grantsChildren TodayUp to 25 years.www.childrentoday.org.ukChallenged Athlete FoundationIPC eligible – i.e. must have UKAclassification. Applications open: 1stSeptember - 1st December. Max $2,500www.challengedathletes.orgChildrens Hope Foundationwww.childrenshopefoundation.org.ukDickie Bird FoundationYoung people under 18 years. www.thedickiebirdfoundation.co.ukDream It Believe It Achieve Itwww.dreamitbelieveitachieveit.comElifar FoundationYoung people and adults. www.elifarfoundation.org.ukFamily FundYoung people under 18 years. Means-tested.www.familyfund.org.ukGet Kids GoingYoung people up to 26 yearswww.getkidsgoing.comLord TavernersYoung people aged 8 to 25 years. 50% ofcost up to £1,500. Applications by SportsClub, Association or School.www.lordstaverners.org/sports-wheelchairsREADY CharityYoung people under 21 yearswww.readycharity.orgRichard Overall TrustYoung people & Studentswww.richardoveralltrust.co.ukRoald Dahl CharityUp to 25 years with an acquired brain injury(i.e. stroke etc). Up to £500.www.roalddahlcharity.org

SF CharityDisabled people – all ages. Up to £1,000suggested limit.www.sfcharity.co.ukVarietyYoung people up to 18 yearswww.variety.org.ukWheel AppealPriority will be given to:• Adults aged 18 and over who became

disabled within the last two years• Adults aged 18 and over who have never

owned a sports wheelchair• Disabled young people who have never

owned a sports wheelchair• Individuals wounded in the service of our

countrywww.wheelpower.org.uk/WPower/index.cfm/what-we-do/wheel-appeal/WhizzKidz Young people under 18 yearswww.whizz-kidz.org.uk/gethelp/getequipmentWomen’s Sport Trust Individuals and organisations can apply forgrants of £500-£5000 to support female racerswww.womenssporttrust.com

Also local Lions Clubs, Rotary International,Round Table etc

Funding for Clubs & GroupsSported www.sported.org.ukFor clubs looking to establish new traininggroups and provide chairs for athletes to trywheelchair racing there are a number ofgovernment and regional organisations thathelp. Your local County Sport Partnershipshould be able to help provide latest fundinginformation and guidance whilst your Cluband Coach Support Officer will be able tosupport you with the basic requirements forsetting up a group. Advice from experiencedathletes and coaches should be sought whenpurchasing racing wheelchairs.Club chairs provide the opportunity forinductions and support new athletes gettingstarted. It is important they are kept in goodcondition, safe to use and available for whennew recruits arrive. Once involved, athletesshould seek their own racing chair whenappropriate to support the growth of theclub by enabling the club chairs to be usednew members.

Thank you to Wheelpower, British WheelchairRacing Association and Job King for their support increating this document.

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