Racing first for injured soldier
A SOLDIER whose legs were blown off by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan is about speed off on a new career as a racing driver.
Former section commander Davie Birrell has already driven go-karts since his injuries in 2010 but plans to use a special pair of “racing” legs to help him drive an ordinary track car in two races at the Knockhill circuit in Scotland.
When he gets on to the grid this weekend for the BMW Compact Cup race, Mr Birrell will be the first double-amputee to drive racing cars without hand controls.
The 27-year-old was Lance Corporal in 3 Scots Regiment when he was injured and lost both legs below the knee.
But since then, the fatherof-three has been determined to pursue his great love of motor sport and has just had a successful trial behind the wheel of 140 mph Ginetta G40 sports car – which he described as “more scary than being on patrol in Afghanistan”.
Now Ginetta are sponsoring Davie to take a special test for drivers before they are allowed to hold a competition licence.
His instructor Rob Boston said: “Davie drives with as much style and feel as the other competitors who had both legs – he puts in an extraordinary effort.”
Fellow Scots racer Christie Doran has given up her drive in her highly-competitive Ginetta so Davie can race. Miss Doran said: “I thought this was just a small effort to help him make his racing ambition come true”.