Aaron Morgan (25) from Basingstoke, a successful disabled racing driver and Production BMW Championships Competitor, has been appointed Event Ambassador for the 2016 Mobility Roadshow, incorporating Get Going Live! (Silverstone Circuit, Northants, 26-28th May).
Organised by charity Mobility Choice, the free-to-attend Mobility Roadshow is the UK’s premier consumer focussed event for people of any age living with restricted mobility. Being held at Silverstone for the first time, visitors have the unique opportunity to test drive adapted and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVS) around the famous motorsport circuit. Plus, inside the Silverstone Wing, a diverse showcase of mobility products, including wheelchairs, scooters and trikes, will be available for hands on demonstrations. The Mobility Roadshow displays the largest range of specialist adapted driving controls at any UK event focused on independent mobility.
Aaron is delighted to be an event ambassador once more, having already successfully carried out the role at the 2015 Donington Mobility Roadshow. He joins a team of selective supporters who have benefitted personally from visiting the show and who proactively raise awareness of the event that helps disabled people with discover life-changing solutions.
Aaron has been passionate about racing since starting motocross at the age of seven. He successfully raced for eight years until an accident whilst practising left him paralysed from the waist down. He comments: “When I was in hospital I realised that there was a huge amount I could achieve in life and was determined not to let my disability hold me back. I briefly took up wheelchair tennis, but after passing my driving test, aged 16, I quickly realised motorsport was where my passion lay. Fortunately, I was offered a motorsport sponsorship from a family friend to begin competing in the Production BMW (PBMW) Championship. To be able to compete I needed to gain a motorsport licence. After completing ten months of testing in 2008/2009 I became, and still am, the youngest ever disabled person to be awarded a National B racing licence.”
With Aaron’s interest in motorsport, he is thrilled that The Mobility Roadshow will be making its debut at Silverstone this year – allowing visitors to experience accessible driving on the famous Grand Prix Circuit. He is also a keen advocator of the Get Going Live! feature which focuses on specific needs of young and novice drivers with disabilities, age 15 plus. Opening up a new world of driving to younger generations, Get Going Live! provides free test drives in the safe presence of a professional driver, the chance to try an impressive range of adapted controls and even take a mock theory test.
Aaron comments: “I have been involved with Get Going Live! since it began in 2011. It’s an amazing opportunity for young people who are looking for their first adapted car and I can highly recommend it. You can talk to experts and find out from other people about their own experience of learning to drive. I’m really looking forward to meeting people who visit from around the UK and helping other young people with disabilities discover adapted driving. I’m also keen to promote, and try out for myself, the new Sports Zone which runs across the three days. It allows visitors to participate in free sessions of Boccia, Wheelchair Basketball, Powerchair Football and Disability Tennis. It’s a great opportunity to try different sports for the first time and find out about clubs that are local to you.”
