{"id":83133,"date":"2025-08-08T15:28:36","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T19:28:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=83133"},"modified":"2025-08-08T15:28:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T19:28:36","slug":"bmw-m2-cs-lance-fenderson-pikes-peak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=83133","title":{"rendered":"Paraplegic Driver Races BMW M2 CS Up Pikes Peak With Sip-and-Puff Controls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, Pike\u2019s Peak International Hill Climb attracts some of the most dedicated and fearless drivers. A legion of remarkable wheelmen (and, presumably, women) assemble just under 15 miles outside of Colorado Springs to drive arguably the most demanding hill climb in North America. For some drivers, there\u2019s no limit to the lengths they\u2019ll go to achieve their dream of conquering the 15,000-foot ascent. Lance Fenderson is one of them, piloting his 2020 BMW M2 CS Racing<\/a> to the peak while towing a unique story in tow.<\/p>\n

Lance\u2019s Story<\/h3>\n

Lance Fenderson grew up racing, beginning his career by racing go-karts at the age of five. By age fourteen, he was part of F1600, an open-wheel racing series that serves as a feeder to IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500. But his career as a driver was not yet in the cards. Lance suffered a serious spinal cord injury in 2019 while playing lacrosse. \u201cAfter being hit by an opposing player, my neck was immediately fractured. I was paralyzed on impact,\u201d he says in an interview. Four broken vertebrae meant relearning to breathe and hours of physical therapy following a spinal cord injury that left him paraplegic \u2014 and, of course, a complete 180-degree turn on career aspirations.<\/p>\n

Or at least it could\u2019ve been. After grappling with his new situation, Lance went off to college and, largely, racing fell to the wayside. But, as anyone truly passionate about something knows, eventually, you come back to your true love. In 2024, Lance launched a comeback. \u201cI needed to find myself again, because you should know what you like to do. That\u2019s when I wanted to start racing again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Return to Racing<\/h3>\n

While hand controls in cars isn\u2019t a new concept, Lance\u2019s situation is a little unique. With only partial power over his hands, accommodations had to go further than even what regular paraplegic drivers have to go through.. Paddles and buttons, even, were off limits. Tricking out his ride \u2014 at the time, and M240iR \u2014 required shifting via inhaling and exhaling through a straw. With access to both a simulator and <\/em>the kind of people who can make that kind of vision a reality, Fenderson was well on his way.<\/p>\n

Next stop was BMW CCA GP Class, where he racked up podium finishes and earned the Spirit of Club Racing Flag. With his eyes eventually on competing in IMSA, he looked to his next metaphorical \u2014 and literal \u2014 mountain to climb: Pikes Peak. Gathering up sponsors that included BMW Motorsports and Yokohama, Lance made tracks for Colorado.<\/p>\n

Even Bigger Hurdles<\/h3>\n

Though he made it to Pikes Peak, Lance has trouble catching a break. As if he hadn\u2019t overcome enough, his car suffered severe damage the week before racing. \u201cWe had that crash during test weekend, and there was a lot of doubt about whether I could even make it back here,\u201d Lance said in a video. But thanks to a team of seriously devoted sponsors and mechanics, Lance\u2019s car was back together in time.<\/p>\n

Indisputably, Lance\u2019s story is one of passion and remarkable perseverance. We recommend giving the short video a watch \u2014 and supporting if you feel inclined \u2014 to see how success is possible even against the odds. [Photos: Insta 360]<\/p>\n