POWAY, Calif. — This Veterans Day, disabled servicemembers are climbing out of their wheelchairs and into a souped-up Studebaker drag car. In this Zevely Zone, I put the pedal to the metal with the Paralyzed Veterans of America. If someone asked you to race an old beat up Studebaker, you'd probably laugh until you saw what the car had waiting under the hood.
A few years ago, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, bought the old broken down Studebaker with a dream. If they could turn it into a drag car, they'd need to put someone behind the wheel.
For Navy Veteran Jacob Spivey, getting into the car is the hardest part. Jacob is a quadriplegic.
"Get that knee in," he said while grunting and transferring from his wheelchair into the car. When he is behind the wheel, he no longer thinks about his wheel chair. "No, no, no, you are just thinking about the guy next to you," said Jacob.
The car goes zero to 80 miles per hour on an eighth-mile track. Jacob loves going fast.
"A lot. Like real fast. It's like Ricky Bobby fast," said Jacob. The local PVA president, Jesse Robinson says paralyzed veterans still want to go full throttle.
"It's a great car, it's a great program we have," said Jesse. " It's primarily important for mental health, getting people out of their house. A lot of people in wheelchairs tend to get in their homes and isolated."
The Studebaker was built in 1950.
"I'm born in '53, so I'm almost the age of this car, it's about the same shape too," said Maria Arroyo.
The Army Veteran and PVA board member is feeling the need for speed. Maria lives with Multiple Sclerosis.
"I've been zip lining, I've jumped out of planes, I've done all sorts of crazy things. It will be fun," said Maria.
Yet, there's an obvious challenge.
"I have to use this which is like a push for brake and down for throttle," said Jacob. He can't use foot pedals to drive, so he relies on Sean Petersen from Golden Boy Mobility for adaptive equipment.
"You know it kind of takes your breath away honestly, there are a few times when I got to walk away when you see that happen. I was a Marine myself so to be able to see how we are helping other veterans and see the difference we are making in their lives, it's pretty incredible," said Sean.
You're invited to the Barona Speedway to cheer on veterans and watch them burn up the track.
"The adrenaline is what's addicting and it's fun," said Jacob. "Pretty sick huh? That's my Ricky Bobby face. Locked in!"
Membership is free to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Cal-Diego Chapter. Members live with spinal cord injuries or disorders (such as MS/ALS), whether or not service-connected in origin.
The Cal-Diego Motorsports Program is dedicated to providing a safe and instructional environment where members can experience and learn about car upkeep, safety features, drag racing, and more. Garage Days are held throughout the year where members can work on the Studebaker to help prepare for race days.
If you are interested in garage days or race nights, please call the office at (858) 450-1443 or click here.