The last thing she expected almost 30 years later was to be giving one of those heroes — Ricky Stuart — tips on how to race in a wheelchair.

Stuart tested himself in unfamiliar territory on Thursday at the launch of the Wheelchair Sports NSW Summer Down Under series launch in Civic, racing against Korea's Sukman Hong for 60 seconds.

"It's a tough gig, you certainly appreciate the athletes who get in the chair and race," Stuart said.

"It was a long minute. My arms thought it was a long minute, but I got cramped in the stomach muscles. They're going a lot faster ... it makes you respect them even more."

The Summer Down Under series will resume in Canberra on Friday and Saturday night as some of the country's best Paralympians use the AIS Track to start their season.

Ballard is back in training after taking a break following the Rio Paralympics, where she won silver in the 4x400 metre T53/T54 relay and bronze in the 100 metre and 400 metre T53 events.

Ballard launched her career in the capital in 1999 and has been to every Paralympics since the Sydney Games in 2000.

The 34-year-old says she has no plans to give the sport away and is now being coached by a Canberra-based mentor as she aims to continue racing around the world.

The Summer Down Under series in Canberra will kickstart the qualification process for the world championships in London in July. Wheelchair racing legend Kurt Fearnley will also be in the capital to compete.

"It's going to be interesting because it is my first race since Rio, but I've got some good fitness. I just don't know if I've got all the race parts together," Ballard said.

"This is the first chance to do our qualifiers and then the Commonwealth Games are on the Gold Coast next year.

"I'm loving what I'm doing and I still think I can make some gains, so I'm happy to keep on going. There's no particular end in sight, I don't want to make too many plans because I'm enjoying."

SUMMER DOWN UNDER SERIES

Friday and Saturday: Racing starts at the AIS Track from 5.30pm.