Meet Bartek Ostalowski, the world's first licensed racing driver with amputated arms

PIC BY MIKOLAJ MIKOLAJCZJK/BARTOSZ OSTALOWSKI/CATERS NEWS - (PICTURED: Bartek Ostalowski poses for a photo next to his racing car.) 

A horrific accident nine years ago meant Bartek Ostalowski, now 29, had to have both his arms amputated. But instead of staying down, Bartek set his mind to the task of learning to race using only his feet.


It was a devastating time for the young man, who had given everything up until that point to become a racing driver.

After the accident, Bartek Ostałowski, from Poland, did not give up. He went to "VDMFK" global Artists Association of Mouth and Foot Painting.

As a fully-fledged racer, Bartek has competed in the European Championship of Rally Cross and the Cup of Poland.

After three tough years, he finally became the first person with no arms ever to gain a full international racing licence.

Having exceeded all his expectations on racing, even topping his class in rounds of the Cup of Poland, he decided to shift his career into another gear and enter the world of drifting. He is aiming to become drifting King of Europe despite having lost both his arms.

PIC BY MIKOLAJ MIKOLAJCZJK/BARTOSZ OSTALOWSKI/CATERS NEWS – Bartek Ostalowski poses for a photo in his racing car.

The sport, which requires rapid gear changes and repetitive handbrake use to slide the car round a track, presents enormous challenges for him.