SPEEDBOAT OWNER RACES “NO HANDS”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30578, 22 October 1964, Page 22

SPEEDBOAT OWNER RACES “NO HANDS”

A speedboat owner who races without arms, Jimmy Driver, of Dunedin, also acts as publicity officer for the South Island Speedboat Association, an«i reports speedboat regattas association meetings for a Dunedin daily newspaper. This remarkable man also drives his own car “no hands,” and paints with his mouth. He is the only full New Zealand member of the international organisation, the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. He has held exhibitions of his paintings in several centres. This month they are on display (and for sale) at Otematata.

Mr Driver has been without the use of his arms since the polio epidemic of 1943. He has been a licensed speedboat driver for more than five years, and other speedboat drivers say he neither seeks nor gives quarter when racing. The intricate pedal controls enabling him to steer, start and accelerate his speedboat with his feet were designed by Mr Driver. It was his experience in this field that led him to have a car converted to his own steering and control design. The blue print of the controls was drawn by an engineer and the Holden ear company in Australia provided the materials It took him only a month to obtain his driving licence and he has now been driving for 10 accident-free months. The geatest danger is from the drivers of other vehicles goggling at his “no hands” style.

Mr Driver performs his reporting and publicity tasks with special mechanical attachments that he uses for eating—and typing. Those who know Mr Driver well have the utmost admiration for the determination he has shown in enabling himself to paint and take part in full in speedboat racing. They respect his good sports-

manship, cheerfulness and spirited independence. People meeting him for the fisrt time are shamed over worrying about minor problems —and quick to claim friendship with such a courageous sportsman.