Paraplegic Alan "Hammer" Bloore is a man on a mission – to help people with disabilities lead active, healthy lives and achieve their sporting dreams.
His latest quest is to compete in the 2015 Targa Tasmania (27 April – 2nd May) in his EuroMarque customised 2013 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, with his son Baxter along side him in the navigator seat.
Over the history of the Targa Tasmania event we have seen other inspirational competitors with disabilities take on the challenge, however Alan will be the first one to use the latest high-tech “fly by wire” hand controlled satellite accelerator.
Targa competitors take on the event for the unique challenge it offers, however Alan is taking it up a notch.
"After my accident I lost just about everything I’d worked so hard for, and loved, as well I lost the ability to truly drive a car, to drive with two hands on the wheel… and with that, gone was ‘The Dream’ I’ve had for 20 years of one day competing in the Targa Tasmania with my son," says Hammer.
“A spinal cord injury is a life-changing injury, but I want to show what people with disabilities can achieve if they have access to innovative products, services and support.”
Part of his motivation to compete is to assist in his aim to raise $100,000 for Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association, a not-for-profit organisation that provides sport, recreation, fitness and rehabilitation services for people with a disability in his home state of Queensland, Australia.
“Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association helped me to get fit, healthy and active after my accident, which made a huge difference to my physical recovery and my outlook on life. This is my chance to give something back, and make sure that other people with disabilities get the same chance that I did.”
Baxter and Alan also plan to compete in the newly expanded Mt Buller based Targa High Country event (7-9 November) as well as Targa’s newest event, Targa Hellyer Gorge (6-7 February) in the north of Tasmania.
"Dreams CAN come true. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt after all of this, it’s that we have to go out and chase our dreams, you can’t sit back and wait for them to come to you. Life is too short!! It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but it’s going to happen!" says Hammer.
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