Paralyzed racer Michael Johnson switches to sports cars

American paralyzed racing driver Michael Johnson (right, ABOVE, Marshall Pruett photo) announced today at Road Atlanta his switch to sports car racing for the 2016 season. Johnson, the first and only paralyzed driver to be licensed by IndyCar, will now compete in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge with 31-year-old English driver and driving coach Stephen Simpson as his co-driver.

"Racing within IndyCar has been a dream come true and I still have aspirations to compete in the Indy 500 one day," said the Michigan-native and former motorcyclist, who turned 23 today. I have really enjoyed the time I've spent in open-wheel and all the great people I met there but I feel that sports cars are a better fit for my career.

"Because I'm paralyzed, I have another set of variables I have to consider. The cars over here have more room to work with in the car in terms of being able to install hand controls. We feel this new system is going to work and respond better to what I've been previously using.

"Also as I work toward longevity in my career, the television package that IMSA offers with FOX Sports is something I didn't have in open-wheel at this level in my career. When we are trying to attract brands and potential sponsors to my program, having that sort of visibility is obviously really beneficial."

Johnson will drive in the Street Tuner class, with a car prepared by JDC Miller Motorsport, for which he spent the previous four seasons with competing within IndyCar's developmental ladder program. His racecar will be equipped with hand controls provided by GuidoSimplex: Due to Johnson's paralysis, his car is a complicated brake and throttle system-he presses a ring on the front of the steering wheel to control the throttle and on the backside of the steering wheel, he pulls a separate ring toward him to apply the brakes.

"I've known both Michael Johnson and Stephen Simpson for a number of years and believe this team will be a great addition to the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge," said Beaux Barfield, IMSA race director. "Michael has demonstrated tremendous ability in open-wheel cars, which I expect will translate very well to sports cars. Paired with Stephen's natural talent, I think this team will be impressive. We're proud to have them in IMSA."