Brent Lakatos designs a more aerodynamic wheelchair racer

MONTREAL – Multiple world record holder and Paralympic Games medallist Brent Lakatos has designed a new aerodynamic racing chair in preparation for next year’s Games in Tokyo.

With the help of a 3D designer, the 40-year-old from Dorval, Que., has been working on the project for two years and has been tweaking his new piece of equipment in training this summer. Some funding support for the project was provided by the Paralympic Foundation of Canada. 

‘’Usually the base of the chair is made of carbon and the chair itself and the steering made of aluminum,’’ he told Sportcom this week. ‘’But I want to make a carbon custom made chair that’s more aerodynamic.

‘’It’s a long process.’’

An engineering graduate from the University of Texas, Lakatos presented his plan and notes to a 3D designer who designed the model via a computer. The plan was then sent to a company that makes carbon pieces.

‘’It’s a bit lighter but the biggest advantage with carbon is that you can design any form. There are less limitations on making it more aerodynamic.’’

The computer programmer is training with a second prototype this summer and a third could be made for next season.

Lakatos currently resides in Loughborough, England with his wife and British national Paralympian Stephanie Reid. He does not have access to a track due to COVID-19 restrictions but trains on the roads in his city of residence.

Tokyo 2021 would be Lakatos’ fifth Games.

– With files from Sportcom