TEAM BRIT OPENS DOORS AS JACKSON JOINS SQUAD
Team BRIT opens rehabilitation through racing to non-servicemen
Team BRIT, which uses motorsport to rehabilitate armed servicemen, is opening its doors to disabled civilians, with international model and stuntwoman Olivia Jackson joining.
Jackson suffered injuries after colliding with a camera truck while on a motorcycle during filming for
Resident Evil in September 2015, and was in a coma for three weeks.
Her left arm was eventually amputated, while her scapula and collarbone fused in the wrong direction and she suffered facial injuries.
The 36-year-old continues to do Thai kickboxing despite having ongoing surgery and correction for her injuries. She was a motocross rider before sustaining her injuries.
“I really love the outlook the guys have about being disabled – they don’t let anything stop them, which is an ethos I definitely share,” said Jackson. “I’ve always loved racing and I think it’s such a great way for people that have gone through so much trauma to feel alive again and be in the moment.”
The squad currently races in the Fun Cup, with a plan to step up to British GT4 next year, followed by GT3 and then Le Mans in 2020.
“This has been a significant decision for us,” said Team BRIT’S Dave Player on opening up the team to non-servicemen. “The message we are keen to promote is that disability is not a barrier, and that with the right hard work, determination and support, disabled drivers can seriously compete at the highest levels of the sport.
“We are opening doors and breaking boundaries and we want to widen the opportunities to disabled civilian drivers. We have a strong commitment to supporting troops who have been injured to access motorsport, which we know can be so beneficial to their recovery.”
Team BRIT has also revealed another new member, 35-year-old James Russell. The Bristolian was born with a congenital defect to his right lower leg, missing the fibula bone and the remaining tibia is angulated. This resulted in him having a short lower leg and an incomplete ankle. Both drivers will take their ARDS this month.