A North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) graduate who was born without arms is proving that determination knows no limits after securing a place with the world’s first all-disabled competitive racing team and preparing to race at speeds of up to 130mph using only his feet.
Callum Smith, 23, from Nuneaton, has turned a lifelong passion for motorsport into reality after joining Team BRIT as a rookie driver. Driving a specially adapted race car using an entirely foot-operated control system, Callum hopes to make history as the first driver to compete at the highest levels of motorsport using only his feet.
Callum, who attended NWSLC after leaving school in 2019, said the college played an important role in helping him develop the confidence and independence that has helped him pursue both his career and his racing ambitions.
His first course at college was in motorsport. Following surgery, Callum returned the following year to study Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic before successfully securing an apprenticeship with Nuneaton Signs through the college.
Four years later, he is employed as a Finance Assistant and is balancing his career with an intensive motorsport training programme.
Callum said: “I’ve always been physically disabled, but mentally I don’t consider myself disabled. I was born this way, so I’ve always done everything with my feet. That’s just normal life for me.
“College was a big step because you’re leaving school and everything that’s familiar behind, but I always felt supported. Whether it was making sure I had the right equipment, helping me with my maths or supporting me into my apprenticeship, the staff always wanted to find a way to help me succeed.
“After college I was matched with Nuneaton Signs and within a week they were interested. They’ve been brilliant and have given me the flexibility to work around my racing and training. They know if the Bat-Signal appears, I’ll be off!
NWSLC Special Needs Advisor, Tina Wainde, worked closely with Callum during his time at the college. She said: “I worked very closely with Callum on his transition and induction into college. Always supported him with any worries or changes in his pathways. He was an absolute delight to work with, especially his cheeky character.
‘I am so happy that he has been so successful in reaching his aspiration of being not only involved with motorsport but actively becoming a racing driver. This was always his dream.”
Callum drives a specially adapted Audi A3 S Line on the road, steering via a custom-built foot-operated steering system while using additional foot controls for the accelerator and brakes.
He added: “Motorsport has been my passion since I was a child. My grandad introduced me to racing and I always believed I’d find a way to become a racing driver. Now I’m preparing to race at speeds of 120 to 130mph using my feet, which is something I never imagined would become reality.
“When people look into my road car it almost looks like it’s driving itself because the steering controls are down in the footwell. It’s certainly not the usual way of driving, but it’s the way I’ve always done it.
“My goal now is to keep progressing with Team BRIT and, one day, compete at the highest level of endurance racing. To do that I need businesses that want to be part of the journey through sponsorship. Whether it’s branding on my helmet, race suit or car, every bit of support helps make the dream possible.”
His remarkable journey has now led him to Team BRIT, whose mission is to become the first all-disabled team to compete in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. Callum is the only member of the team to drive exclusively using foot controls and is currently preparing for his first competitive racing season.
Throughout his time at NWSLC, Callum received tailored support through his Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), including specialist equipment and one-to-one assistance to help him achieve his qualifications and progress into employment.
Marion Plant OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, said: “Callum’s determination, resilience and positive attitude are truly inspiring. He has never allowed barriers to define what he can achieve and continues to demonstrate what is possible through ambition, perseverance and hard work.
“We’re incredibly proud to have been part of Callum’s journey and look forward to following his racing career as he continues to break new ground in the world of motorsport.”
As Callum prepares to begin racing next season, he is actively seeking sponsorship from businesses large and small. He needs around £20,000 this season and, for the full season next season, around £50,000 to cover the car conversion, racing suit and helmet as well as tuition. Sponsors can benefit from branding opportunities on his race helmet, HANS device, race suit and car, alongside social media promotion as he embarks on what promises to be a history-making motorsport career.
For more information or to contact Callum via email at Callum1709@icloud.com