Posted on 09/12/2005 8:14:05 AM PDT by texianyankee
MAFIKENG, South Africa (Reuters) - A South African became the world's fastest blind driver Thursday after driving across a remote airstrip at 269 kph (167 mph).
Blind since birth, 33-year-old Hein Wagner of Cape Town had a sighted navigator for his record attempt. After crossing the airfield, he told reporters he wanted to do it again but was considering piloting an aircraft for his next record attempt.
"I'm very happy," said Wagner, whose drive in a borrowed Maserati V8 GranSport was monitored by motoring organization Motorsport SA and filmed for the Guinness Book of World Records.
The drive, on an airstrip near South Africa's border with Botswana, was aimed at increasing public awareness of problems facing blind people and raising money for a national charity for the blind.
The previous record, set by a blind British bank manager, was 233 kph (145 mph).
"I drove it with no insurance. No one wanted to give any to us," Wagner told national news agency SAPA.
I think this same guy narrowly missed me 4 different times while driving in to work this morning, leaving a jam up of skidding and sliding vehicles in his wake.
Arrested For Driving While Blind - ZZ Top
When you're drivin' down the highway at night
When you feel that Wild Turkey's bite
Don't give Johnny Walker a ride,
'Cause Jack Flash is right by your side
You might get taken to a jailhouse and find
You been arrested for driving while blind
Now just the other night with nothin' to do
And a case of Proof 1-0-2.
I started itchin' for that wonderful feel
Of rollin' in an automobile
Now you could say we were out of our minds,
But let me tell ya, we were flyin' while blind.
Then he had us up against the wall,
Hey! it's only blood-grain alcohol
There ain't no cause for alarm
We ain't out to do nobody no harm
Now how could anyone be so unkind
As to arrest a man for driving while blind?
==="I drove it with no insurance. No one wanted to give any to us,"===
I have to buy mine.
I wonder how long the white cane was.....
"Good mornin' ladies".
- Milton Berle's archives -.
Is this guy the reason why there is brail on drive through ATM machines?
That's the way most people drive in Memphis. I'll take my chances with this guy anyday.
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