A man from Nuneaton who was born with no arms, has become the latest addition to join our line up, as a rookie driver.
23-year-old Callum Smith, who is completely new to racing, uses adaptive technology to drive his road car provided by the Motability Scheme. Thanks to adaptation specialists Jim Doran Hand Controls, who adapted this car so that Callum can drive with his feet, a similar solution has now been fitted to one of the team’s academy cars to enable him to train.
Callum grew up adapting to do everything with his feet. From eating to typing, playing guitar and playing his X-box, his feet control everything he needs.
Callum recalls, “At the start, I remember my mum helping me to write, guiding my foot around the page, but then it just became second nature.”
Callum left college to undergo an operation for scoliosis. After his recovery, he returned and completed a Level 2 qualification in business administration. He was then offered an apprenticeship at a signage company where he was later employed full-time as a finance assistant.
Outside of work, he loves sport and has played football for years, currently as a member of the Solihull Moors Foundation, a team within a disability league, having been unable to continue playing mainstream football due to insurance issues.
Callum has always been a fan of motorsport, especially motorbikes, after he followed his grandad’s love of the sport.
He says, “I even learnt the alphabet by reciting riders’ names. A love of it has been instilled in me since I was little.
“As I always loved bikes, I wanted to be a rider. But reality eventually hit and I realised that wouldn’t be possible, so I moved my attention over to cars.”
Callum got in touch with us and had his first track day in 2025. He then returned this year, visiting our HQ and joining us at a track day at Silverstone and for skid pan testing at Thruxton.
Coventry-based Jim Doran Hand Controls (JDHC),which has over 40 years’ experience in the field of design and installation of hand controls for disabled drivers, has backed Callum as his first sponsor, providing the technical solutions he’ll need to race.
JDHC have now fitted the controls to our BMW 1 series academy car and Callum is due to have his first test at Donington Park on the 2nd Sept
Dan Doran of JDHC said: “”From when I first met Callum, it was obvious that there was no stopping him. It has been a pleasure to be a part of his journey to becoming a racing driver.”
Callum comments: “As soon as I was on the track with the team, I had the bug. I’ve always had that self-belief – I’ve got what it takes to be a racer, I just need the chance to prove it.”
Looking ahead, his ambitions are big and he will be doing everything he can to meet them: “I want to be number 1. Whatever championship I compete in, I want to be number 1. I’m not there to collect a participation trophy – I want to be top.
“I feel like I’m on course to make history. I don’t know of anyone else with a disability like mine that has become a racing driver. I’m glad that Team BRIT are going to be part of making that happen.”
