Why we test Space Drive on the race track

Our commitment to motor sports for the benefit of disabled drivers

Why is our drive-by-wire technology, which we have been using for over 15 years to enable people with physical disabilities to drive, being used on the race track? For the continuous further development of Space Drive it is important to gain experience at the limit. This is why our joint venture Schaeffler Paravan Technologie GmbH & Co.KG has equipped various racing vehicles with the innovative digital drive-by-wire system in order to optimize the system step by step together with experienced racing drivers. It is a challenge to go to the limit with digital steering without a mechanical steering column in a racing car on the track. A challenge that the Schaeffler-Paravan team, including all technicians, engineers and programmers, is taking on in order to establish Space Drive as the technology of the future in the steering sector.

This knowledge and experience gained from racing is in turn incorporated into the evolution and continuous improvement of drive-by-wire technology and therefore benefits our customers. As part of the GTC Race Series and various other races such as the GT Masters or the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, the modified Schaeffler Paravan cars will compete on the race track to gain new experience for use on the road.

A man without arms and legs fulfils his childhood dream

Our client, brand ambassador and motivator Janis McDavid is working with us on a very special project. The aim is to drive full throttle on a race track in a converted steer-by-wire racing car with joystick steering. Not only does this fulfil Janis' childhood dream, but it also encourages other people with physical disabilities. If a man without arms and legs can drive at top speed on a race track in a racing car and still have full control of the vehicle, then people with other physical disabilities can also take courage to put themselves behind the wheel. On the other hand, the application also demonstrates the robustness and at the same time the performance of the existing steer-by-wire technology, which has been used for years to enable people with severe physical disabilities to drive a car. 

With 200 km/h and joystick steering over the race track

The dream of driving a car has always played a major role in Janis McDavid's life. For him, it means freedom to decide for himself where he wants to go and when. But there is much more behind this freedom: "that I am just as equal on the road as everyone else. My disability doesn't matter, it's a great feeling. A good ten years ago, he was able to make this dream come true with a Mercedes Sprinter that was individually adapted for him, and since then he has been on the road 320,000 kilometres without an accident, using only a 4-way joystick and the Space Drive driving and steering system. "As a child, my dream of driving always had something to do with cool sports cars," he says. And it has now come true. Now Janis McDavid could take a seat in a BMW M3, professionally dressed - as prescribed - in a fireproof racing suit and helmet. He mastered a first test at the Hockenheimring with flying colours. Now he is eagerly awaiting his first race, which had to be postponed to spring due to the corona. Then he will hopefully - before the safety car - be able to drive the formation lap in his BMW in a really big race.