It is not common for you to run across someone that pushes the accepted realities that society has put on us and create an entirely new way to live life. I was sent a video clip of a MaxAmps racer recently that at first I did not get. It looked to me from the racing footage that this guy was good but it wasn’t until really getting into the video that I saw he was not controlling his RC car like most. Scott Martin used his mouth to control his RC car. I wanted to learn about this guy and after contacting him back he sent me his story. He was nice enough to allow me to share it with all of you. Enjoy!
“Hello my name is Scott Martin. When I was 9 years old I got hit by a car and broke my neck, which left me paralyzed from the neck down. There have been many CHALLENGES to overcome, but my parents have encouraged me to do what my heart desires and that is what I have done.
I have great friends, traveled all over, and met a lot of cool people.
There have been people that prayed with and for me, thank god for those ones.
Also people that felt sorry for me and even cried for me.
If they only knew that this life is easy for me!!! The things I have done I realize it would not be easy for some. I am just thankful someone in my family does not have to deal with this, and with god’s grace I have and will continue to rise above the challenge no matter what comes along.
I come from a blood line of racers and car club fanatics on both sides of my family so it is just meant to be. My very first race was in 1987 against Peewee Herman in a wheelchair and I smoked him ha-ha!!!
When I was a kid my dad took and raised our family in the desert on weekends and we loved it.
Well after 7 months in the hospital the second day I got out I told dad lets go derby the bronco. We did!
I then sold my motorcycle and bought a Baja and kept the tradition going.
In 1997 I had a class 1 unlimited race car built and entered one of the biggest off road races, racing against some off the biggest name in off road to date. At the score fireworks 250 in Barstow California
I and my brother in law crashed bad 40 miles in to the race. We still finished the first lap of 60 miles
and pulled off. I bit my tongue in two and learned a lot.
Six weeks later race 2, a night race 200 miles, my dad, brother in law, and I won 1st PL and got the fastest lap of the race, I was hooked. In 2007 I retired from racing with a good record and lots of podium finishes and two back to back class championships with bonfire racing.
Dad got me a remote control car when I was in the hospital. It was something we could do together
when he would visit and my parents were their every day.
Now at 34 years old I am doing things a little easier on the body, remote control car racing. I have been in to the hobby forever but never raced until 2011 and now I love it and I am doing pretty well
and yes I drive with my mouth. Some think it is hard for me but it is all I know plus if I want to do it I have to rise above the challenge.
Don’t hold yourself back. Dream big, have patience, and faith. Take it 1 step at a time.”
– Scott Martin
