Interview With Martin Sharpe, First Disabled Racing Driver

Anglia Television: Interview with disabled racing driver Martin Sharpe at Silverstone. He describes how his car has been modified to enable him to race despite losing the use of his right leg following a motor cycle accident.

Shot of a car racing along the track. Close up of the driver and the side of the car with the number ‘15’ and ‘Silverstone Circuit’ written on it. Shot of the interior of the car and the driver. Shot of the front of the car with ‘Big Sam’ written on it. The car races past the camera and around the corner of the track. Two men put the bonnet onto ‘Big Sam,’ a Datsun 240Z. Close up of Martin Sharpe, disabled racing driver, walking with a stick towards the car. Martin Sharpe and the two men discuss the race and the amount of laps he needs to do. Shot of a sign on top of the car saying ‘International Year of Disabled People.’ Reporter Steve Rider interviews Martin Sharpe and asks him what concerns him about the race and his disability. Martin Sharpe replies that the safety aspects, such as whether he can control the car when it is slipping and sliding, are what worries him most. He describes how he would also be concerned for his safety if he couldn’t get out of the car if he was involved in an accident. Martin Sharpe explains how he had to prove to the committee that he could control the car properly to ensure that he wouldn’t hurt himself or other drivers. After proving that he can control the car, they have given him his licence. Martin Sharpe then shows Steve Rider the controls in the interior of the car and demonstrates how he operates it. Close up of the clutch, gear stick and a brake servos on the floor. Shot of the car outside in the pits, with Martin Sharpe walking towards it with his support stick. He straps himself into the car. Shot of the car pulling away from the pits followed by interior close ups of Sharpe wearing his helmet and driving the car along the track. Shot of the car racing along the track. Close ups of the wheels and a shot of Martin Sharpe through the car window. The car stops in the pits and Martin Sharpe is interviewed. He says it is a success for disabled people to have somebody with a disability competing in the race this year. The interviewer wishes him the best of luck for the future.

Keywords

Car; Competition; Disability; Disabled; Disabled Drivers; Driving; Motor Racing; Racing; Silverstone; Sport;

Background Information

In 1981 - the ‘International Year of the Disabled’, Sharpe, the only disabled driver, finished 2nd in the British Racing & Sports Car Club (BRSCC) Championship.