It’s a truth that, as a racing driver, often the hardest work is done before you even strap yourself into the car. Some drivers, however, have to work harder than others to get to that point.
Guy Davies’ entry into and appearance at the recent Simola Hill Climb in Knysna raised more than a few eyebrows because Guy has been confined to a wheelchair for over twenty years. Not that anyone watching from the trackside would have noticed, as he pushed his Porsche 911 Carrera to the limit to finish third in class.
As a young lad, Guy raced vintage cars and bikes in the UK, having been influenced by his father’s own passion for all things mechanical. Then he moved to South Africa and continued to indulge in his passion, occasionally racing a Honda VFR and Triumph Trident at his local track, Killarney, in the Western Cape.
Then, in 1999, an old rugby injury caught up with him, and he was confined to a wheelchair. Life continued, but it looked as though his racing days were over, especially as gaining a competition licence when handicapped was next to impossible.
Recently, all that changed, and Guy was able to get his licence; the idea of a wheelchair-bound racer no longer as outlandish as it may have once been. The process wasn’t easy, however; one of the requirements to qualify for a licence is to be able to release yourself from a racing car, while wearing all your protective gear and move 30 feet away from the car in 30 seconds. That Guy passed this test with flying colours gives some indication of his determination not to let his disabilities stand in the way of getting on with life.
And this was the whole point of entering the Simola Hill Climb: raising awareness of disabilities and showing that, while anyone can become disabled through injury or accident, it doesn’t mean that their lives have to stop.
Guy’s daily driver is a 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera, with 200,000km on the clock. The original idea was to use a Subaru GT, specially modified with hand controls and an automatic gearbox. Unfortunately, time was against them, and it became clear that the car wouldn’t be ready, so Guy made the easy decision to enter the Porsche instead. So it was that, 40 years after he had competed in his last hill climb (on a 1937 AJS 350!), Guy Davies was entered into Simola and, in true amateur racer tradition, drove the car to the event, raced, and drove home again!
But that’s not the whole story. Guy’s friend, who owns the Subaru dealership in George, where the original hill climb car was being prepared, suggested trying to find some sponsorship for the hill climb. As he was a Liqui Moly agent, an approach to the company was made and, to their eternal credit, they leapt at the opportunity, fully sharing in Guy’s vision and appreciating just how much work was going into the attempt.
First of all, the Porsche was expertly wrapped by GT Wraps in Cape Town, and you have to say it looks absolutely fantastic. Liqui Moly covered this as well as the entrance fee for the hill climb. They also paid for a dedicated pit crew and went to town on social media. It was a huge win for both parties, with exposure beyond anyone’s hopes for disability awareness.
At the end of the day, Guy and Liqui Moly were rewarded with third in class, an outstanding achievement. Don’t forget, this was a standard road car (if any Porsche can ever be said to be “standard”), and was driven home after the event and will continue to serve Guy in his daily life behind the wheel.
The best news is that Simola marked the beginning of Guy’s second motorsport life. He will be taking part in a regularity rally in the Porsche and, when the Subaru is ready, intends to compete in some Clubman’s racing events before heading back to Simola again next year.
If Guy’s achievements encourage only one disabled person not to give up and chase their dreams, then that will be job done. My guess is that, through his own efforts and with the support of Liqui Moly, a lot more than one person will be inspired.
