Robert Gillan, who has been in a wheelchair since a forklift accident on March 31, 2001, said he enjoyed racing the modified kart which is capable of speeds of more than 100kmh.
"I love every minute of it."
The 24-year-old tested the kart at Silverstream Raceway, near Mosgiel yesterday, and received approval from karting officials to race competitively, becoming the second disabled driver to earn that right.
Mr Gillan said while he played a variety of sports including wheelchair basketball for Otago, he was always in a wheelchair, whereas kart racing offered him a change.
"In a go kart I am the same as everyone else."
And the attraction?
"The thrill of being so low and going so fast and being able to beat able-bodied people."
Now certified to race, he would debut at Invercargill later this week and was looking for sponsors to continue with the sport. He was thankful for the support his fiancee Candice Bennett-Green and sponsors Nursing New Zealand and Sky Fitness had given him.
His kart was modified by Les Campbell, the stepfather of his fiancee, who said Mr Gillan would be very competitive.
The kart's brakes and accelerator were controlled by hand controls, and the kart would be made available to other disabled people wanting to try the sport, he said.
