Noah Cosby is a Team BRIT racing driver, artist, motorsport enthusiast, and Motability Scheme Ambassador. At 19 years old, he is one of Team BRIT’s youngest drivers after signing for them in 2023. Thanks to a partnership with the Motability Scheme, Noah is currently competing in the 2024 Britcar Trophy Championship and is proving to be the one to watch.
We recently chatted with Noah as he shared his experience as a Motability Scheme customer. He described how the Scheme and the adaptations he has in his car helped give him back his independence after his accident. He also talked about the symbolism behind his design for his new custom-made race helmet and how it was inspired by his personal experience.
Noah’s experience with the Motability Scheme
How did you hear about the Motability scheme?
I was told about the Motability Scheme when I was in hospital at 16. I think it was one of my personal trainers or physio nurses and she was telling me about another boy who had just passed his driving test, and that instantly got me interested in learning more.
What was your experience like getting your car with the Scheme?
So, it was in December, and it just felt like getting an early Christmas present. But yeah, it’s been really nice. And it was my first time joining the Scheme, and that was just super easy. Honestly, I was surprised at how simple it was, and I felt supported every step of the way.
What was it like choosing your car?
I kept checking the Motability Scheme website as I know the cars that are available change every now and again.
There were tonnes of options for me to choose from. As an 18-year-old at the time, I felt like I didn’t need a huge car. For me, what I needed was simple, just something to get me out and about. It was the smoothest ride I could have had, from choosing the car to picking it up from the dealership.
Find out what’s available with the Motability Scheme
There are a range of cars, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), scooters and powered wheelchairs available to lease on the Motability Scheme.
What adaptations do you have in your car and what was the process like choosing them?
So, I went for the push-pull hand control system because I’d used them before. I find them really easy to use and felt comfortable using them again. So, it was an easy choice.
But if I was choosing for the first time, or choosing different things, it was great to see how many adaptations I could have chosen from. I just knew exactly what I wanted this time.
Then once I picked up the car, they had already installed the adaptations, which just felt like the easiest process and something I didn’t need to worry about.
Find out what adaptations are available through the Motability Scheme.
Do you have a Motability Scheme online account?
Yes, I do. I needed to use it to add a private number plate to my car. I found out the easiest way to change this would be through the online account. I remember thinking it was going to be a really difficult thing to change, and I know I sound like a broken record, but it was so simple and easy to do. I genuinely sorted it in about five minutes.
I also used the online account to add drivers to the insurance on my car. My parents are on it just in case. It’s really helpful for me. Recently, I drove to a race weekend and my mum came with me. It was about five days on the track, which is quite physically testing. So, if I’m really tired after a race, then she can drive us back home. It’s also been helpful for doctor’s appointments where I may not be allowed to drive for 24 hours.
Your worry-free lease package
When you lease a vehicle with the Motability Scheme, you’ll get a full package. This includes your insurance, servicing and breakdown cover. If you choose a car or WAV, your MOTs are covered too. If you choose a scooter or powered wheelchair, your maintenance is covered instead.
How have the first six months with your Scheme car been?
Amazing. I mean, it’s so nice having a brand-new car. That’s something I never experienced. Even my parents have only experienced it a few times. So yeah, it’s incredible. And I drive a lot because of racing and that takes me all over the country so it’s been great to have a reliable new car that I can trust to get me there.
How has the Scheme supported you and how has it impacted your life?
It’s given me a lot of independence. I would not be able to access all the stuff that I do now without my car. It’s made my life so much better and given me a lot more freedom. It’s had a huge positive impact, and like I said, I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be doing without it.
If someone was considering joining the Scheme, what would you want them to know?
Just that your hand is held the whole way through the process. From choosing the car, to picking it up and driving it home, and this is continued throughout your whole time of having the car too. It just feels like there isn’t anything to stress about.
Noah’s Team BRIT experience
How does it feel to have the Motability Scheme supporting your racing career with Team BRIT?
Well, obviously I’m beyond grateful for the support. I mean, I would not be where I am without the Scheme supporting me. I had my world flipped upside down after my accident, but I feel like I’ve come out on the other side better.
How has joining Team BRIT changed your life?
The team has given me back that part of my life I lost through my accident. Everything before my accident was based on the sports I did, and that was my life. It was my passion and where my happiness came from. It was a huge chunk of me ripped out. But joining Team BRIT and finding a passion for a new sport has filled that hole right back up. It’s given me all my confidence back that I thought was gone.
What was the inspiration for your helmet and why is it symbolic to you?
I’ve always loved this Japanese method called Kintsugi. I find it quite beautiful. The technique is based on putting broken pottery together with gold, and it looks really cool. I’d done some research on it for some art projects I was working on and it felt like a metaphor for my situation. Using flaws and imperfections and being better than you were before. It made me see that even when something awful happens to you, you can realise there is potential to get through it.
It felt like a big circle with me. Since my accident, I felt like I’d lost everything, but I came back and felt better about everything than I did before. So, it was a nice idea, and it went hand-in-hand with my helmet design. It was a pretty ambitious idea and I’m grateful that we could bring it to life.
I absolutely love it and it’s gotten a lot of praise and interest which is lovely. And it was great to have it ready to race at Silverstone which is my home circuit.
How’s your season been so far, and have you had any challenges entering the Britcar Trophy Championship?
It’s been a really successful season, which I’m over the moon about. I’ve absolutely loved it and going into such a fast championship has been incredible. I don’t think we have finished any races under second place, so I could not have asked for anything better.
I’m pleased that I’ve been able to give my fans at the Motability Scheme, and my fellow customers, some thrilling races to watch!
What would you say has been the biggest learning curve for you this season?
I think adapting to such a fast car in a competitive environment. I’ve not had much time to get used to it. The margin of error is so slim and making any mistakes can cost the team, so there’s a lot of pressure to find the balance between learning and making mistakes. Obviously there have been mistakes, but I’m just trying to stay on it 100% from the get-go. I absolutely love challenges like this.
Interested in joining the Scheme?
Exchange your qualifying mobility allowance for a brand-new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), scooter or powered wheelchair, so you can enjoy more freedom and independence.
As well as a great choice of cars, you’ll get a full package. We’ll cover your insurance, servicing and breakdown. If you choose a car or WAV, we’ll cover your MOTs too. If you choose a scooter or powered wheelchair, we’ll cover your maintenance instead.
Check if you’re eligible
- To join the Scheme, you need to receive one of these mobility allowances:
- Higher rate mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment (Social Security Scotland)
- Enhanced rate mobility part of Adult Disability Payment (Social Security Scotland)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
You can easily check whether you’re eligible to join the Motability Scheme. Check if you’re eligible.
