48 DIVERSEability Magazine www.diverseabilitymagazine.com
LIFE WITHOUT
LIMITS
R
obert Wickens, a former Formula One test driver, took the American IndyCar scene by storm as a rookie in 2018. He won the pole position and led all but two laps in his irst IndyCar race, went on to score four podi- um finishes and earned the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honor, all in his first 12 IndyCar races in 2018. However, race number 13 of his stellar rookie IndyCar season changed his life forever. Wickens was involved in an accident on lap seven at Pocono Raceway, where he suffered a thoracic spinal fracture, spinal cord injury, neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs, fractures in both hands, a frac- tured right forearm, fractured elbow, a con- cussion, four fractured ribs and a pulmonary contusion. Because of these injuries, Wickens is now a paraplegic. Now, four years later and with ground- breaking therapy treatments, Wickens is returning to the track as a full-time racecar driver. He was signed on by the Internation- al Motor Sports Association, Michelin Pilot Challenge Champions, Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai Motor North America, which has curated his vehicle. Since the accident, Wickens perseverance and persistence has led to triumphant break- throughs in his relentless regimes of physical rehabilitation and therapy that continues dai- ly. In fact, Wickens and his team of therapists and trainers have become trailblazers in de- veloping innovative technology and treatment methods for the spinal cord injury communi- ty. Thanks to these advancements, Wickens is able to stand and walk with assistance, but still lacks the muscle function needed to drive his vehicle in the traditional way. That's where his specialized Hyund- ai Elantra N TCR vehicle comes into play. Marked as #33, the Elantra is equipped with a custom hand-control system designed by BHA Technical Director David Brown and Development Technician Jonathan Gormley. The system features a custom metal ring con-
The Race Continues for Robert Wickens
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Robert Wickens is all smiles after driving the Hyundai Veloster N TCR at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
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