Blind Briton seeks to beat speed record in Ferrari

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

LONDON (AFP) — A 41-year-old blind man from Britain said he would attempt next month to become the first non-sighted person to drive a car at more than 290 kilometres (180 miles) per hour, breaking his own world record.

Steve Cunningham, who has been blind since the age of 12, said he would attempt to push his Ferrari 355 GT beyond the world record of 280 kph (175 mph) he achieved in 1999 at the wheel of a Dodge Viper.

"The Ferrari's a totally different animal to the Viper. It's lighter, much smoother and much sexier. I'm sure we'll do it," he told the British media.

Cunningham, who will be accompanied by a sighted co-driver during his exploit in Abbeville, northern France, said speed and record breaking were not his main incentives.

"The idea behind...