Blind Driver Smashes Speed Record -- BLIND RECORD-BREAKER

SkyNews ^ | 08/13/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

A blind man has set a world record by reaching a speed of 144.7mph in a car.

Mike Newman was alone behind the wheel of a supercharged 155mph Jaguar XRJ 4.2.

The 41-year-old, who has been blind for most of his life, beat the land speed record for the blind by 3.7mph.

Mr Newman attempted the record bid at an old aerodrome at Elvington in Yorkshire in aid of Guide Dogs For The Blind.

He told Sky News: "It was a wonderful experince that I will probably never have in my life again."

In order to break the record, Mr Newman had to drive the car at an average of 150mph over two miles.

He was in constant radio contact with his stepfather, who followed him and gave directions.

Earlier this month, a man broke the world blind speed record on a motorbike.

Billy Baxter, who lost his sight while serving as a sergeant in Bosnia in 1997, achieved an average speed of 165mph at Boscombe Down airfield in Wiltshire.

Last Updated: 15:00 UK, Wednesday August 13, 2003

[bedolido]

For all he knows, they could have just told him he was driving a real car.

[Ex-Dem]

Reminds me of the Pontiac commercial where the blind girl's doing donuts in the desert. Meanwhile her boyfriend's looking pretty shocked in the passenger seat.

[Consort]

Blinding speed?

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

What really impresses me is how fast the seeing eye dog has to be to keep that half step ahead.

Or does he drive Helen Keller style, one hand on the wheel, one hand on the road?

But, it's not that impressive, my father in law goes almost that fast through the streets of St Pete, and he's been blind as a bat for years.

That's why I stay up north.

[al_c]

After being pulled over for speeding, the officer asked the other passengers, "Why on earth was he driving?!" to which they all replied, "Cause he's the only one sober!"

;o)

[boris]

NOW I know why drive-up ATMs are marked in braille!

[joesnuffy]

Of course it helps to also have the World's Fastest Seeing Eye Dog

[IYAS9YAS]

Actually, I thought that commercial was pretty cool. Letting someone leg your brand new car is one thing...allowing your blind friend do so in the desert is quite another.

At Meridian Speedway in Meridian, Idaho, they used to do Blind Alley Rally races. The driver was either really blind or blindfolded. The passenger told them how to navigate the oval 1/4 mile track. It was a lot of fun to watch and the drivers who were truly blind had a blast!

They also did "Mother-in-Law" races where the driver was blindfolded and the "Mother" sat in the back seat and told them how to drive...that was fun also.

[StarCMC]

Maybe he could give Ted Kennedy some driving lessons?

[waverna]

His white cane was worn down to a nub!!