Nearly four-years after a racing accident left IndyCar driver Robert Wickens paralyzed, he’s making a comeback on the monitor with Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai Motor North America. He’ll pilot the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR within the season-opening Worldwide Motor Sports activities Affiliation Michelin Pilot Problem race at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on January 28.

“I’ve spent quite a lot of nights considering and dreaming of this second, and with the help from Bryan Herta and Hyundai it’s all turning into a actuality,” stated Wickens. “I’m hungrier now than I used to be earlier than my accident to compete for wins once more!”

Wickens was paralyzed because of spinal accidents he sustained from a crash in the course of the IndyCar ABC Provide 500 at Pocono Raceway on August 19, 2018. As an IndyCar rookie in 2018, Wickens got here out of the gates rapidly, successful the pole place in his debut race on the 2018 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. He was Indianapolis 500 Rookie of Yr in 2018 after ending ninth and main two laps.

After 989 days of rehabilitation from the IndyCar accident Wickens will drive a closely modified Hyundai N TCR utilizing hand controls designed by the Herta workforce and that includes a customized steering wheel ring related to the brake pedal by means of a sequence rods. The ring is connected behind the steering wheel and is pulled by the motive force to activate the brakes. A pair of linked throttle pads and shift paddles, additionally connected behind the steering, permits Wickens to speed up and shift gears.

The Hyundai will speed up and brake with conventional pedals when Wicken’s teammate, Mark Wilkins, is within the automotive throughout endurance races.

“We have now adopted together with Robert’s rehabilitation and marveled at his willpower and dedication, alongside along with his many, many followers,” stated Bryan Herta. “To now announce that he shall be making his skilled motorsports return in one in all our Hyundai Elantra N TCR automobiles is really unimaginable.”

This text, written by David Castro, was initially printed on ClassicCars.com, an editorial accomplice of Motor Authority.