Colin Duthie
Racing driver and mentor
Colin has worked across disability sports for over 25 years – from handcycling to horse riding to motor racing – participating himself and helping others to. His motto is “Dare to be different, determined to succeed.”
At the age of 20 Colin Duthie sustained a number of severe injuries in a motorcycle accident, including an above knee amputation. After a long recovery period, his wife encouraged him to try volunteering and disability sports. He began at Prestwick Disabled Persons Swimming Club in 1987. Since 1994 he’s been involved in the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). Colin has represented the UK as part of the British Para-dressage team and is currently Chair of his local RDA group.
Colin became a sports development officer with South Ayrshire Council, encouraging other disabled people to become more active. He has established and helped run numerous organisations and sport clubs, such as Ayrshire Sportsability and South Ayrshire Powerchair Football Club. Colin also actively fundraises for these many organisations, and over his decades of work he has also had the pleasure of watching young disabled athletes he has supported going on to compete internationally, including at the Paralympics.
In 2016 Colin helped to set up establish Disability Motorsport Scotland and now combines being a trustee and coach for the charity with competing as a disabled racing driver. He became the first disabled driver to race in Super Lap Scotland in 2017 and in his first ever race season he finished fourth. He is also the first disabled person in the UK to have qualified as a Motorsport UK Level 2 Coach and now uses his skills to give others the opportunity to learn more about and take part in the sport. He says: “your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life, never give up!”
Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life, never give up!