A blind father of two has claimed a new world land speed record by reaching 167.32mph in a specially-made BMW M5.
Mike Newman, 43, from Sale, Cheshire, was hoping to become the first blind person to break the 200mph barrier.
But he ran out of room on the track at Elvington Airfield, near York, and had to settle for breaking his previous record of 144mph.
He said: "Hopefully I have raised awareness ahead of World Sight Day and shown that you can achieve anything you want."
Event organisers said the record was set after the average speed was taken from two runs.
Mr Newman hoped to break the 200mph barrier but was thwarted as he ran out of room on the track. He said: "It has been a wonderful day."
The record has to be officially confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records.
John Galloway, who helped organise the record attempt, said: "This is a marvellous achievement.
"Mike drove totally unassisted. It is a fantastic achievement and has been one of the most emotional days of my life."
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1569624.html
Mike Newman, 43, from Sale, Cheshire, was hoping to become the first blind person to break the 200mph barrier.
But he ran out of room on the track at Elvington Airfield, near York, and had to settle for breaking his previous record of 144mph.
He said: "Hopefully I have raised awareness ahead of World Sight Day and shown that you can achieve anything you want."
Event organisers said the record was set after the average speed was taken from two runs.
Mr Newman hoped to break the 200mph barrier but was thwarted as he ran out of room on the track. He said: "It has been a wonderful day."
The record has to be officially confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records.
John Galloway, who helped organise the record attempt, said: "This is a marvellous achievement.
"Mike drove totally unassisted. It is a fantastic achievement and has been one of the most emotional days of my life."
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1569624.html
