A Capetonian hopes to become the world’s fastest blind driver by setting a land-speed record next month.
Accompanied by a navigator, Hein Wagner is to attempt the feat at a Mafikeng airstrip on September 8 — hoping to make his way into the Guinness World Records, the South African National Council for the Blind said on Tuesday.
His attempt will take place in conjunction with a land-speed event for sighted people, organised by the Motor Enthusiasts’ Association and Guinness World Records.
Wagner, a motivational speaker, has been blind since birth 31 years ago, the council said in a statement.
He will try to beat the current land-speed record of 233kph for a blind driver, set by United Kingdom bank manager Mike Newman last year.
This will be the first such attempt by a South African.
Wagner’s navigator, Ray Wakefield, described in the statement as ”a very brave man”, will be allowed only to give verbal instructions.
He ”may under no circumstances get involved with any of the functionality of the vehicle”, the statement said.
Wagner will seek, through his attempt, to raise funds for the council.
”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,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Wagner has competed in a number of marathons, has climbed the 10 highest mountains in the Western Cape, has Western Province colours in athletics, and has taken part in the Cape to Rio yacht race.
He was a member of the South African blind cricket team who won the sport’s first-ever World Cup in India in 1998. — Sapa