Blind Hein Wagner hopes to drive his way into the Guinness Book of Records in September, albeit with the help of a navigator , as he attempts to become the fastest blind driver in the world.
Blind Hein Wagner hopes to drive his way into the Guinness Book of Records in September, albeit with the help of a navigator , as he attempts to become the fastest blind driver in the world.
The project is being organised by the Motor Enthusiast Organisation, in conjunction with the Guinness World Record Organisation and Motorsport SA, who will assist with the verification of the record attempt. Though the car to be used in the attempt has not yet been finalised, Ray Wakefield from Speed Record SA will accompany the Cape Town entrepreneur and motivational speaker on his attempt, which has been set for September 8 in Mafeking.
Following international guidelines, Wakefield may only give Wagner verbal instructions and is not allowed to interfere with the functionality of the car.
Bank manager Mike Newman from Cheshire in the UK holds the current blind land speed record at 233 km/h.
Despite being blind since birth, Wagner has competed in several marathons and has climbed the ten highest peaks in the Western Cape. He has also attained his provincial colours for athletics. Wagner was a member of the national team that won the first Blind Cricket World Cup in 1998, and competed in the Cape to Rio yacht race in 1993.
Through his latest attempt, Wagner is hoping to raise funds for the South African National Council for the Blind.
“I’m proud to be a South African and through this attempt I want to show the world that South Africans can be winners no matter what it takes,” Wagner said. Log onto visiontree.co.za for more details and information about this remarkable man.