Fastest Blind Driver in a Racing Truck!

Mike Newman despite being born blind has just set a NEW WORLD SPEED RECORD by driving a racing truck at 120.04mph.

The 5.5 tonne racing truck belongs to Dave Jenkins of Jenkins Motorsport member of BTRA (British Truck Racing Association) who was introduced to Mike earlier this year by Dave Coupe at Transport Training Academy. All three gentlemen share the belief that anything is possible and after hearing about Mike's previous achievements the decision for Mike to go for his eighth world record (seventh Guinness world record) was made very quickly.

Mike's previous records saw him fly a plane, drive a motorbike at 89mph, drive a boat at 93mph and most recently he drove a car at over 200mph (in August 2014, also at Elvington Airfield) - this makes Mike the only person other than Donald Campbell (of Bluebird fame) to hold both land and water records in the same year.

Mike decided to risk this amazing challenge in order to raise money for the charity he runs, Speed Of Sight (of which Donald Campbell's daughter, Gina is patron of). Speed Of Sight provides driving experiences to disabled people from ages 7 to 89...so far! Mike understands how tough it is to have a disability and to be told all the things you can't do... such as being able to drive. During Mike's record attempts when he proved it can be done he came up with the idea of bringing the same sense of belief to other disabled people by showing them the impossible is possible. Mike came up with his own design of car with two steering wheels as well as dual pedals so that people of any ability can operate the vehicle next to a professional trained instructor to keep them safe at all times.

So far Speed Of Sight has brought life changing driving experiences to hundreds of people around the UK, mainly in the North West but in order to continue and reach more disabled people they need to raise much more funds. They need corporate sponsorship or for members of the public to raise funds - skydives, cake sales, running events etc. They also offer corporate track days to businesses where staff can come along and experience a fun driving experience with a twist...after a few laps you will be blindfolded so you can appreciate what it is like to be in Mike's world as well as it helping to emphasise how implicit trust and communication is.

Mike would like to thank all the sponsors and supporters who this record attempt would not have been possible without. The whole Speed Of Sight team would also like to express their gratitude for everyone who has helped along their journey so far, without such support the charity would not have been able to deliver so many life changing driving experiences.

Mike has set up a fundraising page for his record attempt where people may donate: http://www.make-a-donation.org/fundraisers/mike-newman or people can get in touch with Speed Of Sight's director, John Galloway to discuss other ways of supporting them - john@speedofsight.org

Media Contacts – John Galloway 07971 161 621- john@speedofsight.org
And Chris Walker - 07768 068 563- chriswalker@freenetname.co.uk
Jenkins Motorsport - Dave Jenkins – 07976 425037 -dave@jenkinstrucksport.com

• Record Achieved! Mike Breaks The 200mph World Blind Land Speed Record

  13th August 2013
  
  
  

  Mike Newman has finally achieved his long standing ambition to become the first blind person in history to drive solo at over 200mph... Read More

• The World Blind Water Speed Record.

  1st November 2013
  
  
  

  DAREDEVIL Mike Newman has become the fastest blind man on both land and water.... Read More

• Official handover of a modified Motorsport Race Car developed by Tameside College on behalf of the Speed of Sight Charity Organisation.

  12nd September 2012
  

  Tameside College have been working with the Speed of Sight Charity Organisation (founded by former t... Read More

• Mike Makes Guinness Blind Water Speed Record Test Run

  30th August 2012
  

  On Monday, 20th August 2012 at Torbay in Torquay, Mike met up once again with Drew Langdon, offshore... Read More

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