{"id":21431,"date":"2026-09-07T19:14:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T19:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=21431"},"modified":"2026-09-07T19:14:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T19:14:37","slug":"meet-callum-smith-the-23-year-old-armless-racing-driver-who-steers-with-his-feet-at-110mph-joins-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips-and-targets-a-historic-le-mans-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=21431","title":{"rendered":"Meet Callum Smith: The 23-year-old armless racing driver who steers with his feet at 110mph, joins Team BRIT alongside quadruple amputee Harvey Phillips and targets a historic Le Mans debut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133888917,imgsize-111189,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg\" alt=\"Meet Callum Smith: The 23-year-old armless racing driver who steers with his feet at 110mph, joins Team BRIT alongside quadruple amputee Harvey Phillips and targets a historic Le Mans debut\" title=\"Callum Smith has joined Team BRIT alongside quadruple amputee Harvey Phillips. (Photo: SWNS)\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"Callum Smith has joined Team BRIT alongside quadruple amputee Harvey Phillips. (Photo: SWNS)\">Callum Smith has joined Team BRIT alongside quadruple amputee Harvey Phillips. (Photo: SWNS)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Callum Smith has never let the absence of arms stand between him and his passion for motorsport. The 23-year-old from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was born without arms but is now chasing an extraordinary dream, becoming the first armless racing driver to compete at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"2\"\/>Smith, a finance assistant, has signed his first driver contract with Team BRIT, described as the world&#8217;s only competitive racing team made up entirely of disabled drivers. He is currently training in the team&#8217;s modified BMW 1 Series at Donington Park as he works towards obtaining his racing licence.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"4\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>From watching bike racing with his grandad to driving at more than 110mph<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Smith&#8217;s love for motorsport began when he was just two years old. He would watch bike racing with his grandfather, Michael Smith, who was a major influence on his early interest in racing.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"9\"\/>His first track day came in July 2025 at Donington Park, where he reached a top speed of 90mph around the iconic 2.5-mile circuit. By April this year, he had pushed his speed further, recording 100mph on Silverstone&#8217;s 3.66-mile Grand Prix circuit while driving his own Audi A3.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"11\"\/>He has since taken the next step by getting behind the wheel of Team BRIT&#8217;s specially modified BMW 1 Series, where he has already reached speeds of more than 110mph.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"14\"\/>Speaking to SWNS, Smith said he always believed he had what it took to become a racing driver.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"16\"\/>&#8220;Once I started getting into driving, I always had that self belief that I had what it took to be a racing driver and knew that I could do it.&#8221;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"18\"\/>He added that Team BRIT had given him the opportunity to demonstrate his ability and pursue a dream that once seemed difficult to imagine.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"20\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>How Callum Smith steers a race car using his feet<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Born without arms, Callum Smith has adapted to racing by steering with his feet and controlling the pedals himself.\" msid=\"133889056\" imgsize=\"246584\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Born without arms, Callum Smith has adapted to racing by steering with his feet and controlling the pedals himself. (Photo: SWNS)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-246584,msid-133889056\/born-without-arms-callum-smith-has-adapted-to-racing-by-steering-with-his-feet-and-controlling-the-pedals-himself.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Born without arms, Callum Smith has adapted to racing by steering with his feet and controlling the pedals himself. (Photo: SWNS)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"23\"\/>Smith drives using a specially designed steering plate created by Jim Doran Hand Controls. <!-- -->The system allows him to control the car using his feet.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"27\"\/>His left foot is used to steer, while his right foot operates the accelerator and brake. Additional controls have also been adapted to allow him to operate other functions inside the vehicle.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"29\"\/>&#8220;On top of the accelerator I have an indicator switch \u2013 I have a Lodgesons Bleeper System which gives me buttons for the horn, main beam, window wipers etc.,&#8221; he explained.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"31\"\/>Describing the steering system, Smith said, &#8220;I steer with my left foot. <!-- -->It&#8217;s a steering wheel in the footwell that operates the steering wheel.&#8221;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"35\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>&#8216;My feet are like my hands&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Nine-year-old Callum Smith cycles using his feet.\" msid=\"133889125\" imgsize=\"199850\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Nine-year-old Callum Smith cycles using his feet. (Photo: SWNS)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-199850,msid-133889125\/nine-year-old-callum-smith-cycles-using-his-feet.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Nine-year-old Callum Smith cycles using his feet. (Photo: SWNS)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"38\"\/>Smith was born without arms because of an unexplained bilateral upper-limb disability. However, he says he has never regarded his disability as something that should prevent him from doing the things he enjoys.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"40\"\/>&#8220;My feet are like my hands,&#8221; he said, explaining that he writes with his right foot, plays video games such as FIFA and Call of Duty using his feet, and even plays the guitar that way.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"43\"\/>He also eats independently using a regular knife and fork.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"45\"\/>His approach to everyday life has helped him adapt naturally to driving, although racing presents its own set of challenges.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"47\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>A bold email to Team BRIT started his racing journey<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Smith&#8217;s opportunity with Team BRIT began with an email in which he asked whether the team would be willing to help make his racing ambitions a reality.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"50\"\/>&#8220;The racing started off with an email to Team BRIT expressing my interest in racing and I said if they were interested in making my dreams come true, I&#8217;d be forever grateful,&#8221; he recalled.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"53\"\/>The team responded, and Smith went through tests with instructors before completing a skid test. From there, his journey towards becoming a competitive racing driver began.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"55\"\/>He is now working towards securing his full racing licence. One of the challenges he has to overcome is demonstrating that he can independently undo his harness and open the car door.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"57\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>&#8216;There&#8217;s a lot of eye-to-foot coordination&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Callum Smith is working towards his racing licence and a potential Le Mans debut.\" msid=\"133889156\" imgsize=\"108935\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Callum Smith is working towards his racing licence and a potential Le Mans debut. (Photo: SWNS)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-108935,msid-133889156\/callum-smith-is-working-towards-his-racing-licence-and-a-potential-le-mans-debut.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Callum Smith is working towards his racing licence and a potential Le Mans debut. (Photo: SWNS)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"60\"\/>While Smith is confident behind the wheel, he admits that adapting to a race car has been challenging.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"63\"\/>&#8220;It&#8217;s hard, there&#8217;s a lot of eye to foot coordination,&#8221; he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"65\"\/>One of the biggest surprises for him has been the physical demands of racing, particularly the weight and stiffness of the steering.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"67\"\/>&#8220;The biggest surprise to me is how heavy the steering feels in a race car, everything is stiffer,&#8221; he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"69\"\/>Despite that, Smith remains determined to continue.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"71\"\/>&#8220;But I love it and I&#8217;m quite keen to get it sorted, I&#8217;m motivated to get it done,&#8221; he said, adding: &#8220;Confidence I&#8217;m not short of, but it&#8217;s going to be a lot of hard work.&#8221;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"74\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Quadruple amputee <keyword id=\"4961180\" type=\"General\" weightage=\"20\" keywordseo=\"Harvey-Phillips\" source=\"Orion\">Harvey Phillips<\/keyword> also joins Team BRIT<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Harvey Phillips, a quadruple amputee, steers Team BRIT's race car using a specially adapted 3D-printed aid.\" msid=\"133889173\" imgsize=\"2570068\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Harvey Phillips, a quadruple amputee, steers Team BRIT's race car using a specially adapted 3D-printed aid. (Photo: SWNS)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-2570068,msid-133889173\/harvey-phillips-a-quadruple-amputee-steers-team-brits-race-car-using-a-specially-adapted-3d-printed-aid.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Harvey Phillips, a quadruple amputee, steers Team BRIT&#8217;s race car using a specially adapted 3D-printed aid. (Photo: SWNS)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"77\"\/>Smith is not the only new driver hoping to make history with Team BRIT. The team&#8217;s latest driver line-up also includes 21-year-old quadruple amputee Harvey Phillips from Louth, Lincolnshire.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"79\"\/>Phillips lost parts of both legs, his right arm up to the elbow, as well as fingers and thumbs on his left hand after suffering meningitis when he was nine months old.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"81\"\/>He has developed his own way of controlling the car. A lever allows him to accelerate and brake, while a 3D-printed cup attached to his right arm helps him steer.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"84\"\/>&#8220;To accelerate and brake I have a lever, I twist it down to accelerate and push it down towards the dash to brake,&#8221; Phillips explained.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"86\"\/>He added, &#8220;I have a 3D printed cup to slot my right arm into to turn the steering wheel.&#8221;<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"88\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Team BRIT has its sights set on the 24 Hours of <keyword id=\"89354\" type=\"General\" weightage=\"20\" keywordseo=\"Le-Mans\" source=\"Orion\">Le Mans<\/keyword><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>For Phillips, the immediate goal is to become comfortable with the race car and establish a competitive race pace.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"92\"\/>&#8220;Getting comfortable with the car and getting a race pace down are the main aims for me,&#8221; he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"95\"\/>But the team&#8217;s ambition extends far beyond individual racing licences and track days. Team BRIT ultimately wants to become the first team comprising entirely disabled drivers to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the world&#8217;s most prestigious endurance races.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"97\"\/>Both Smith and Phillips are now seeking sponsors as they embark on a year-long training programme. For Smith in particular, the journey represents the chance to break new ground in motorsport, and prove that the absence of arms does not have to mean the end of a racing dream.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/uk\/meet-callum-smith-the-23-year-old-armless-racing-driver-who-steers-with-his-feet-at-110mph-joins-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips-and-targets-a-historic-le-mans-debut\/articleshow\/133888683.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Callum Smith has joined Team BRIT alongside quadruple amputee Harvey Phillips. (Photo: SWNS) Callum Smith has never let the absence of arms stand between him and his passion for motorsport. The 23-year-old from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was born without arms but is now chasing an extraordinary dream, becoming the first armless racing driver to compete at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Callum Smith has joined Team BRIT alongside quadruple amputee Harvey Phillips. (Photo: SWNS) Callum Smith has never let the absence of arms stand between him and his passion for motorsport. The 23-year-old from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was born without arms but is now chasing an extraordinary dream, becoming the first armless racing driver to compete at [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":1,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":6,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/callum-smith-has-joined-team-brit-alongside-quadruple-amputee-harvey-phillips.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21431\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}