Abstract: The variable ratio linkage is disclosed for use with a throttle valve having a rotary shaft and comprises a primary lever fixed at one end to the throttle shaft, a secondary lever pivotally attached between its first and second ends to the primary lever, a cable which connects the secondary lever first end to an accelerator pedal, and a throttle return spring for elastically biasing the throttle shaft to a closed position. In the closed position, the secondary lever first end engages a first limit and the secondary lever second end abuts a stop. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the cable moves the secondary lever first end away from the first limit and causes the primary and secondary levers to rotate relative to one another and slowly rotate the throttle shaft until the secondary lever first end engages a second limit. When this occurs, further movement of the secondary lever first end away from the first limit causes the throttle shaft to rotate at a relatively faster rate.