A Paralympian has been selected to drive in a motor-racing first.

Eastbourne man James Whitley will drive for Team Brit, which is the UK's only competitive racing team.

The 24-year-old has represented Great Britain at the Winter Paralympics and skiing world cup, and will now represent Team Brit on motor-racing circuits across the country.

%image('16413102', type="article-full", alt="James Whitley")

He was born without fully formed hands, and has undergone more than 30 operations to improve their function.

At the age of six, he was involved in a serious boat accident which resulted in multiple broken bones, internal bleedin, and months in hospital.

By ten years old, he joined the Team GB Paralympic ski team, and was promoted to the elite squad three years later.

In 2014, he was ranked number two globally for under-18s, and was selected to represent Great Britain at the Winter Paralympics.

%image('13561850', type="article-full", alt="James at the Beijing Winter Paralympics")

James swapped the piste for the track in 2021, and got behind the wheel of a BMW M240i for Team Brit in the Britcar touring car championship.

He won the championship alongside his teammate Chris Overend, making history as the first all-disabled team to win a national racing championship.

James said: "I’ve discovered over the years that each apparent setback and disaster has only served to re-double my determination to overcome obstacles and to turn them into something positive.

“Having a disability has often meant that people would give me sympathy and be really surprised when I’ve been able to perform as well as or better than an able-bodied person, and it just pushes me on to want to be the fastest.

“I’ve always found adrenaline and speed to be an amazing source of stress relief and having been obsessed with cars since I was a child. I was counting the days before I could get behind the wheel, and was go-karting when I could barely see over one.

“Thanks to ski racing, I have an athlete’s mindset and an eye for the racing line so I know I have as much chance as success as anyone else on the grid."

Team Brit's goal is to be the first all-disabled team to race in the 24-hour endurance race Le Mans.

“For me, it’s about attention to detail and finding the marginal gains that will add up to a real advantage," said James.

"I’m 100 per cent committed to this new challenge and every race will be about pushing for the podium.

"Longer term, I want to be with the team at Le Mans and there’s no reason why we can’t get there and be seriously competitive.”

%image('16413042', type="article-full", alt= Chris is a wheelchair user")

A spokeswoman for Team Brit said: "The cars are fitted with the team's world-leading hand controls which enable them to compete against able-bodied competitors."

This year, the pace increases as the pair are set to drive a McLaren 570s GT4 in the British Endurance Championship.

%image('16413063', type="article-full", alt="Team Brit's McLaren")

James added: “I’m extremely excited to start the season off the back of such brilliant success last year.

“Driving a McLaren will fulfil a dream I have had since I was a child.

"Now, things will be getting even more serious and I’m already feeling prepared and ready to go with the team - 2023 is going to be huge for me and for everyone involved in Team Brit. I can’t wait to take my racing to the next level and do all I can to bring home some top results.”