We have set up a fund-raising page here to help raise as much as we can

 

Update 13th September 2020

Wow, it has all gone crazy. Back in March we were on the verge of testing, lock down happened, everything went on hold.  When it was safe Rod Heald of Heald - World leading Security Bollards, Road Blockers  and his wife Debbie tested the chair, Rod wanted to ensure the chair was as ready as it could be for myself to drive.  Graham from GSPE Ltd who engineered and supplied the running gear and steering was involved in some of the testing. 

The chair is also fitted with a dead man switch for safety purposes due to my ability.  It quite simply cuts the power to the motor; however, I can still steer the chair.  this is the main reason for the van following me on my runs, it has a 200m range.  I would like to stress that the driving of the chair is totally down to myself.

On the 8th September at Elvington air field we had the chance to test at straightliners top speed Tuesday.  The event is usually for bikes, cars and this time a monowheel. There were so many unknowns so we took it very slow.  The first run was around 10mph, followed by a run of around 20mph.  it was necessary to alter the joystick.  With my ability to move been so limited it is crucial I and the joystick are in the correct position. In my normal chair if I sit to the left I can’t drive, 2cm to the right I can. The alterations were successful and ¾ power was set.  The power is set through the motor’s controller with a laptop computer. with it slightly pulling to the left we made subtle changes but it still it pulls.  The steering is similar to that on your car, with one major difference, no steering wheel.  With just a joystick subtle changes in direction are very hard to achieve. We managed a top speed of 59.064 mph. 

We went away with 2 areas to improve on, more speed and a correction in the steering.

We plan to be at Elvington again on Sunday 27th September 2020, so watch this space.  

Update - 4th March 2020 

So it has been a few frustrating months for everyone concerned , controller issues have been a massive issue for Rod, Ian and staff at Heald. This is the brains of it all, between the joystick and the motors is a bit of wizardry and this has been the problem.  They have all worked together and the end result is a fully operational wheelchair.  I hear you say “Wheelchair” by very fact I will be able to control it, it’s a wheelchair. Today was all about setting it up for me, so positioning of the seat, armrests, joystick and feet are all critical aspects of it.  Rod was keen to see if I could use the joystick , with the chair of the ground and live I pushed easily managed to floor it, can’t lie, I had a big grin.  it is now being stripped down for painting and should be ready for the weekend. We have stuck to the original design and plan for the mk2 version , the only thing that has changed is the use of a seat belt, using the philosophy that In the event of an accident the best I would be thrown clear.  Now we have a working chair and it is about as stable as it can be, the thinking is the chances of an accident are very limited and are more likely to be down to mechanical failure.  A long with this train of thought, taking in to account the level of support I need to keep me in the correct position, a 5 point harness is the best idea.  after trying all this, I feel very confident we have a good position for me which is paramount to this record attempt to be successful.

 It is only a guess but with testing at speed planned in the next couple of weeks an attempt could be this month.

None of this would be possible without our sponsors

@healduk @minerva_hull @SIPBuildUK @thephoenixworks @DH2Solutions @F1000Rally @5WAYSMCC @rst_motodirect @justevs_ @agv_uk @Indra_rt @psdautomotive @FullyChargedShw @TillettRacing @project_eRally @Straightliners1 @mrndigiprint @tonikenergy @enrgmotorsport @kevingreene

 

Update - 31st July 2019 

So it has been a few months since my last update , a lot of work has been going on and we are now in the final stages.  we hope to be running by the end of August, ready for runs in September and October. I will let the images do the talking and be back real soon. 

Update - 8th May 2019

Good afternoon from a rather moist East Yorkshire, you gotta love that word. I hear you  say , he’s like a London bus, don’t hear from him for ages and then he’s all over, funny that as I meet a nice lady in the gym who  said are you that guy of the television who does those crazy challenges?  Yes I am lol

So why the update?  The electric wheelchair world record attempt is moving again, things are now picking up in pace.  Today Heald took delivery of the axles and steering components from Graham of Gspe Ltd and a seat and wheels from me. We had a small meeting to confirm the next phase which is the chassis. This will be hopefully take around two weeks with Graham supplying some technical drawings and Heald putting it altogether from their drawings. This will be a huge step forward for the team having a rolling chassis.  Smiles were all round when it was laid out, some imagination was needed but it was enough to see where the vision is heading. We highlighted the fact that fewr 1 (fastest electric wheelchair record ) was a good way to learn mistakes made so we could make fewr 2 far more likely to succeed.

A few little issues were ironed out starting with ground clearance been proposed at 75mm but then 25mm, having some experience of Elvington airfield might have saved us Graham from grounding out and some sort of spark show.  I have been down the run way in the fastest shed and it seems flat. However with no suspension it is a lot difference.               

Some dates have been set as a target to aim at for testing and also a possible date for the record attempt.  There are many factors that could affect this as people can imagine, however one unique aspect is me and my ability to drive the wheelchair.  Although my decline has been at a constant for years I am aware this could change at anytime.  Recently I have had trouble driving my all terrain wheelchair due to the seat placement and joystick, so I have rectified this with a different chair. Bearing this in mind I have chosen a seat that I feel is most suited.

So that is it for now and check back for more updates really soon.

A quick note but someone is going to notice the boot under the front axle, no this is not a unique feature but a simple way of holding the front axle the right way up for the pictures.

Update - 17th November  2018

Well what can I say?  First we didn’t even get to the track on 16th October and 10 days later the event was postponed again for cross wind and stability issues.  Since then we have been busy looking at and formulating are future moves. After much thought and advice from professionals, we have taken the necessary decision to start from scratch with a new design.  This time we have opted for a slightly longer design with different steering, most of the chair is being hand built including custom made hubs, rear axle and steering components.  There are many more changes and new ideas but were keeping some secrets lol.

So who is doing the work, well the chassis and the parts are being built and put together at Heald in Hornsea ,who make safety  and security bollards and barriers. Assisting Rod and Debbie is Graham and David who are engineers but also work closely with Straightliners and hold various records between them , they are instrumental to design and stability. We have help from Ian who is an ev specialist who is advising and assisting with the power train.

When will we see a finished product?  Due to the complexity of the necessary work  it won’t be till early in the new year, due to my condition it will be sooner rather than later,.  Some high level of testing will have to take place before we run again.  As they say “third time lucky”

We hope to keep you all posted on the progress of the project, complete with images and videos.

Update - September 26th 2018

Progress and learning has come thick and fast recently. Indra have really pulled out all the stops to get the wheelchair ready and within the next couple of weeks it will be ready for testing. Progress has been made in mounting the rear axle, complete with motors, suspension, mounting the seat, front wheels and steering.

So far one major problem came up in that on paper, the chair was capable of 230mph, so a solution had to be found to slow it down to a more sensible speed. The power systems are being loaned from Indra due to expense and practicality of charging.

While Indra have been busy designing and building the chair, we have been gathering more sponsors and promoting the project on social media and in the local press. We have had fun and games trying to get all the logos onto the race suit, but the end result is rather spectacular.

We have also been to an event at Elvington Airfield so we could see how it all works and what I will face. We were lucky enough to meet the event organisers and found out a lot about what goes into attempting a world record. I was excited to meet Matt who currently holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest shopping trolley. He was full of useful information and tips.

Next up is testing. We have to confirm a date for this once we know when the chair will be ready, so check back for more updates.

Update 2nd August 2018

Initially we were to build a chair from scratch but on digging around for parts it was discovered that it would be cheaper to buy a suitable used chair with all the main components on. So such a chair has been bought from Germany and will be here at Indra next week. The high speed motors are waiting to be fitted. This is not a simple conversion as the chosen chair is rear wheel steer, why have we chosen that? Conventional chairs are castor wheels at the front, no good for the speeds we are trying to achieve. The other types are skid steering like a tank, again no good for us. This chair is rack and pinion controlled by a motor through a joy stick, ideal for our needs, with front wheel drive. So Indra want to turn it round so we have a rear wheel drive front wheel steering dragster.

Along side this we have a full parts list. Indra are as well as building the chair supplying ultra thin batteries, the new seat must be fitted and lowered. We have been talking with a tyre specialist who has recommended a scooter tyre capable of 100 mph filled with a compound similar in characteristics to air but puncture proof, fairly simple to work out the outcome of a puncture in a wheelchair at any speed let alone near triple figures.

Other parts to be fitted are battery boxes, hub converters to accept the new wheels, controller power supply and power converter for the controller.

We now have a estimated build time of 6 – 8 weeks, slightly delayed from my original plans.

Next steps are to confirm a date with Elvington airfield and to raise the remainder of the funds required. Mrn print have offered to sign write my Van in vinyl so we are hoping to raise awareness and funds for the challenge that way as well as social media. We have the backing of the Fully charged show, the Free Masons and the MNDA.

I will update you all again when we visit Indra in Worcestershire to see how the build is progressing and possibly a test drive.

Original Article

This page is about my latest challenge - the world’s fastest electric wheelchair!

Yes, you read that right. Last year I came up with this outrageous idea - and then promptly applied to Guinness World Records to see if they would accept my record. Some 12 weeks later, it was approved. Christmas came and went, two trips to hospital nearly got the better of me but still I fight on. Now, asking people to help with such a mad idea is mad in itself, especially when you tell them how fast you want to go. So, one evening I chatted to a friend on Facebook, who suggested a friend of his who has a company in the electric vehicle industry - and, oh by the way, he’s as mad as you. That was it. I sent an email and within a couple of weeks a meeting was arranged.

Liz and I met Jay and Dean from Indra, who were equally as excited about the project as I was. At this stage I should say THAT although Liz is 100% behind me, she also agrees I am insane. Setting the world record in Jay’s words is relatively easy. The attraction to the project, well in both their words, was “we have to do this”, with regards to the record I wish to set.

Various ideas were thrown around and I put my visions to them. To my surprise most of them actually might be used as they were good ones. To achieve my goal which is more than just a goal - a legacy to leave behind for my girls, that not only did I set a world record, but I did it with advanced Motor Neurone Disease, while virtually paralysed. This to me shows not only my girls but indeed the whole world that just because you are disabled, or suffer with an illness, or terminal illness, that life is over. In fact, having two terminal illnesses in some respects was the start of a new life.

Indra estimate it will cost somewhere in the region of £10,000 to make the bespoke chair. Before they can manufacture the chair. 

We are looking for companies who would be willing to offer sponsorship. In return, they can have their name and logo on my helmet, suit, on the parachutes, published on social media and shown on the day.

Not surprisingly it is already attracting media attention. It has been on Look North and the Yorkshire Post has published an article. The BBC is making a documentary for Inside Out and we expect the record attempt will be in the National news.

If you know of anyone who maybe interested in being a part of this, please contact me on Jason@cossie.biz.

Yorkshire Post article.