Logan Walton is ready to put on a helmet and drive his hand-controlled Go-Kart.

Juniors:

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In High Gear. Race-car driver Ray Paprota is living his dream. The accomplished wheelchair athlete goes toe-to-toe with his able-bodied peers as they compete in high-powered stock cars around the southeastern United States (see ?You Gotta Have Dreams!? January 1999).

The Little Slicks racing team, based at Lakeshore Foundation (Birmingham, Ala.), came from Paprota?s desire to share his passion for motor sports with others and has evolved into the only program of its kind in the world. Physically challenged youngsters learn about the tools, technology, and teamwork involved in maintaining a competitive race team. They first gain an understanding of the basics and then use these skills on a variety of race cars and Go-Karts equipped with appropriate hand controls.

Contact: Ray Paprota, Pioneer Racing, (205) 402-0707 / speedar@aol.com / www.pioneerracing.net.



Rafting Adventure. Thanks to the Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department, some lucky Phoenix-area youths with mobility impairments will go rafting on the San Juan River, in southern Utah. The ?River Rampage? expeditions are seven days long and allow even kids who have never been camping to safely enjoy a wilderness rafting experience. Participants are age 14?20, with and without disabilities.

Arizona Raft Adventures, a licensed commercial outfitter that has helped with the program since 1991, guides the trips. The City of Phoenix Adaptive Recreation Services is providing the volunteer support staff for the June 20?26, July 26?August 1, and August 21?27 outings.

Rafting adventures such as these usually cost $1,000 or more per person, but Rampage participants who put in 40 hours of volunteer work prior to the trip earn free slots. Although the first review took place on April 2, applications will be accepted as long as slots are available. Space is limited!

Contact: City of Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department, Adaptive Recreation Services, 1946 West Morningside Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85023. (602) 262-4543 / 534-1537 (fax) / 534-2491 (TDD) / adrecsvc@ci.phoenix.az.us.

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