By Nate Jones
Staff Writer
When Maine Indoor Karting in Scarborough was required by the state to provide access to its facility for the physically challenged, owner Rick Snow and employee John Muehleisen immediately began working on the only rental racing kart specifically designed for the disabled.
“I’ve heard of specialized setups you can purchase for the disabled, but this is nothing like that,” Snow said.
“We figured why not?” Muehleisen said. “It seemed like an obvious thing that we had left out of the initial setup.”
Snow and Muehleisen with the help of Dan Morency, a close friend of Snow’s with multiple sclerosis, began designing the kart two months after Maine Indoor Karting first opened its doors in 2003. Morency, an engineer, continued to race different automobiles with Snow, and as his multiple sclerosis progressed the pair enjoyed using the adaptable kart for their races together.
“There really is no Little League in racing,” Snow said.
Snow said another inspiration for building the kart was for a friend who used a wheelchair after loosing control of his legs due to a blood clot, and had loved to race. Snow also has an 86-year-old uncle who, although he has lost both legs, still loves to race.
“We want to be as accessible as possible,” Snow said. “We’re here to bring the reality of racing to everyone.”
Most of the time kart “No. 6” races with a traditional wheel and foot pedals for the brake and throttle. However, “No. 6” can be converted from a normal racing kart to one that doesn’t require the driver to use their feet.
“It usually takes us longer to find the kart than it does to set it up,” Muehleisen said.
To convert “No. 6” for disabled use, Muehleisen said he replaces the wheel with one that is easier to control with a single hand, and removes the throttle and brake pedals. Through the use of a single lever behind the steering wheel, drivers can operate the brake and the throttle while they drive close to 40 mph around the track.
“I had to drive it before I let anybody else get in it,” Snow said. “It requires a lot of concentration.”
 “You have to steer smoothly to go fast,” Muehleisen said. “Using just your hands makes it challenging.”
Muehleisen said he has fond memories of customers “hollering all the way around the track” in “No. 6”, including one Project Graduation celebration where an entire high school class rallied behind their disabled classmate.
“She asked no quarter, and gave no quarter,” Muehleisen said. “It gives people, especially the handicapped, a sense of confidence in themselves.”
Snow was originally introduced to kart racing in Germany, where he says the sport is present in every major city.
“It was just wild,” Snow said. “I caught the bug.”
Snow said often people are surprised at the amount of physical exertion it takes to steer the karts smoothly, and it is no less of a challenge for the drivers of “No. 6”.
“Racing is something everyone can do here,” Muehleisen said. “As long as they’re safe. To have fun you have to be safe.”
Before jumping into the driver’s seat, customers without a valid license or between the ages of 8 and 15 are required to take a safety course where they prove they can control the car and drive fast enough to keep up with the other racers, Muehleisen said. For disabled drivers, MIK requires they complete a solo lap around the course to get used to the hand controls.
“It’s not a natural movement,” Muehleisen said. “And we want to make sure they get the hang of it before putting them in a race.”
Drivers are all required to wear special racing suits, neck braces and helmets regardless of their experience, Muehleisen said. In addition to the personal safety equipment, each kart is equipped with a roll bar and seat belts. Muehleisen said when racing “No. 6” they use legs straps in addition to the normal seat belts to prevent uncontrolled limbs from becoming a hazard. Each kart is also equipped with a remote kill switch controlled by track employees.
“If you’re acting up, we’ll just shut you off,” said Muehleisen, who doesn’t believe in the mantra “rubbin’ is racin’.”
Snow said Maine Indoor Karting does prefer to be given notice for a disabled racer so they can make the necessary adjustments to “No. 6” and arrange solo track time.
“Then just go fast and have fun,” Snow said.