Mike Newman and his Speed of Sight team have made it into the Guinness Book of World Records again.
On Tuesday 11 October 2005 at Elvington Aerodrome near York, Newman rewrote his World Blind Land Speed Record, driving alone in a BMW M5.
The 507bhp M5 powered to an average speed of 167.32mph over a measured mile in both directions, being the Guinness criterion for the record. In the process, Newman hit a peak speed of 178.5mph.
After breaking the record, Newman said: "This is dedicated to the charity Vision 2020: The Right To Sight on World Sight Day. The aim of Vision 2020 is to eradicate the world of preventable and avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
"Not enough is done to help the visual impaired communities around the world. In many cases, increasing the levels of Vitamin A in a child’s diet or a simple cataract operation would transform a life. I hope this record draws increased attention to this very important global issue."
Mike Newman broke his existing record of 144.7mph (set in a Jaguar in August 2003 at Elvington Aerodrome) in a BMW M5 on factory-standard Continental tyres with the 155mph electronically limiter removed, making the car capable of a top speed of 205mph, given a longer distance than available at Elvington.
The record was made possible by state-of-the-art computers, communications and microSAT GPS equipment supplied by sponsors Scan Computers, Site Link and Datron Technologies while the project was managed and coordinated by mantado-pr.
A year ago, Toby Holland from Somerset beat the accompanied blindfolded land speed record with an average top speed over two runs of 177.71 mph -- see story link below.