Robert Wickens is set to compete in this weekend's IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on the streets of Long Beach, nearly seven years after a devastating crash left him paralyzed from the chest down. Wickens will be behind the wheel of a specially equipped Corvette, featuring a cutting-edge hand control system for throttle and braking developed by Bosch and Pratt Miller, which allows him to race solely using his hands. As reported by NBC Los Angeles, Wickens considers this opportunity "an enormous step forward in my career and my journey back to the highest levels."
Teamed up with veteran Corvette racer Tommy Milner for DXDT Racing, the duo tackles the steering challenge that involves a brake ring and throttle paddles replacing the conventional pedal box, making the driver changeovers seamless, which is critical given sports car racing's inherent nature that involves sharing the drive. While Milner will utilize traditional controls, Wickens told AP News, "What's great about it is, in theory, it can mount to virtually any steering column as long as you have the right bolt pattern", pointing out the broader potential applications for this technology in racing and beyond.
The Canadian racer's ambition doesn't stop here, as he aims to compete full-time in the series with aspirations for the next season, all while contributing to the technological advancements that could have implications for road safety and vehicle accessibility. Wickens' perspective on the significance of his return was captured by FOX Sports, saying, "What we're learning here today can transfer into any race car. And then, hopefully, down the road, what we're developing with the electronic braking system from Bosch, opportunities are endless."
Not only is Wickens pushing boundaries on the track, but he continues to make an impact off it as well; balancing his aspirations within motorsport, he serves as a driver coach for Andretti Global, where his insights in data analysis and driver guidance are invaluable — yet his most significant weekend contribution might just be the inspiration derived from him strapping into that race car, confronting challenges head-on, and blazing trails for racers with similar hardships. As his new teammate, Milner expressed sentiments echoed by NBC Los Angeles, "for him to go through what he went through and with his drive and determination to get back in a race car again and be competitive and win races, that's something that can be an inspiration for anybody."
