Mike Newman aiming for grand slam speed records on land, sea and air

by Aileen Lockhart on 5 Oct 2012 On October 11th 2012, World Sight Day, a 51 year old, ex-bank manager from Manchester, is hoping to be the very first blind person to hold both Guinness world land speed and water speed records simultaneously. He would then be the first person to hold such a record since his hero Donald Campbell MBE set both records in 1964. Mike Newman intends to be the first blind person to drive a car, unaccompanied, over 182mph and take a powerboat over 91mph and will be eagerly watched by one of his biggest fans, Donald’s daughter Gina Campbell QSO, granddaughter of Sir Malcolm and a world speed record holder herself.

Mike also holds a Guinness world blind aerial acrobatic record; gained as part of a team record whilst flying the most consecutive loops in formation with The Blades Aerobatic Team in 2011.

After successful trials in Leicestershire and Devon, Mike Newman, a fundraiser, motorsport enthusiast, and holder of three Guinness world blind land speed records is determined to make the record books again on this one, significant day - annually, the second Thursday in October - that is recognised globally to focus attention on blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation of the visually impaired

So, at 9 am on 11th October, driving a Noble M600, an incredible 650 bhp hand-built, carbon bodied, British supercar made by Noble Automotive in Leicestershire, Mike will attempt to reach over 182mph at Bruntingthorpe in Lutterworth; one of the longest runways in the country. The Noble is one of the few cars in the world capable of such a high speed, a test run of the Noble car, on 25th September 2012, proved it worthy of the record within the appropriate distance, with room for breaking.

After a dash to Torquay, at 3pm on the same day, Mike will take the helm of Drew Langdon’s Silverline offshore Formula 1 power boat, powered by two V8 950HP engines, and hope to reach over 91mph – the practice speed he achieved just one month ago. The current record stands at 91mph. At the event, Mike Newman and Gina Campbell will meet Elected Mayor and Leader of Torbay, Gordon Oliver.

Commenting after the Noble M600 test, Mike said: 'Words can’t really express how I’m feeling at the moment, to get to this place. To be able to demonstrate that I’m a person with a disability and not a disabled person will help Speed of Sight change people’s perception. Everyone should have a chance to realise a dream. In being able to realise mine, I’m enormously grateful to my team, all the sponsors and supporters, Mark Hargreaves whose Datron technology is relied upon by Guinness and, right now, especially to David Walton at Bruntingthorpe, Peter Boutwood at Noble and Drew Langdon and Silverline.'

With the Olympic Paralympic Games recently starring in the UK, the concept of people with disabilities having access to sport has been at the forefront of the public's mind and it is paramount as Mike's motivation to make sports available to as many people as possible regardless of their ability. Speed of Sight website