A 23-year-old British racing driver who was born without arms has achieved speeds surpassing 110 miles per hour on track while steering with his feet, marking a groundbreaking achievement in motorsport.
Callum Smith recently signed his first driver contract with Team BRIT, the world's only competitive racing team composed entirely of disabled drivers. He now has his sights set on competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of motorsport's most prestigious events.
Smith's feet function as his primary tools for daily life and racing. "My feet are like my hands—I write with my right foot, I play Xbox with my feet like FIFA and Call of Duty," Smith told Good News Network. "I play guitar with my feet, and I eat by myself use a normal knife and fork."
The young driver's passion for racing ignited at age 2 when he watched bike racing with his grandfather, Michael. Years later, he took a bold step toward making his dream a reality by reaching out directly to Team BRIT.
"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'd be forever grateful," Smith told Good News Network. "They got back to me and I passed some tests with instructors and did a skid test—it went from there."
Smith completed his first track day in July 2025, reaching 90 miles per hour around Donington Park, a venue that hosts the Superbike World Championship. Four months prior to today, he achieved a top speed of 100 miles per hour on the Silverstone Formula One circuit while driving his own Audi A3.
Currently pursuing his racing license, Smith trains at Donington Park in Team BRIT's modified BMW 1 Series. The vehicle features specialized controls, including a flat plate that enables him to steer using his feet. His left foot operates the steering plate while his right foot controls both the accelerator and brake.
"On top of the accelerator I have an indicator switch which gives me buttons for the horn, [headlights], window wipers etc," Smith told Good News Network.
The unique driving setup presents significant challenges. "It's hard, there's a lot of eye to foot coordination. The biggest surprise to me is how heavy the steering feels in a race car, everything is stiffer," Smith told Good News Network. "But I love it and I'm quite keen to get it sorted, I'm motivated to get it done."
Smith believes he is breaking new ground in the racing world. "I'm going to be the first person to be racing without any arms, the first one ever," he told Good News Network.
Team BRIT provides Smith with the platform to pursue his racing ambitions while demonstrating that disability does not preclude participation in competitive motorsport. The organization's mission centers on creating opportunities for disabled drivers to compete at the highest levels of racing.
As Smith continues working toward his racing license and refining his skills on track, his ultimate goal remains clear: competing at Le Mans and proving that determination and adaptation can overcome physical limitations in one of the world's most demanding sports.
