The Journey So Far

• The Beginning (89mph)
  
  
• The Jaguar XJ-R (144.7mph)
  
  
• The Invicta
  
  
• The BMW M5 (178.5 mph)
  
  
• The Keating SKR Supercar

The Beginning (89mph)

Alongside his friend Simon Perfect, Mike hatched a plan to ride a motorcycle and to raise money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind. It was during their planning stages they discovered that a record existed, 69mph, set by a Triumph at Daytona. They set themselves the goal of reaching 100mph.

They sourced a motorcycle from H Robinsons, a motorcycle dealership, and in March 2000, made an attempt at the record at Elvington Aerodrome in York. Unfortunately, due to radio failure, Mike suffered a spectacular crash, leaving the bike damaged and his ego bruised.

Despite the loss of one of their bikes, H Robinsons continued to support Mike, providing him with a new motorcycle. Under the watchful eye of the BBC’s Record Breakers, in June 2000, Mike set a new World Blind Land Speed Record of 89mph. They had however reached their goal of 100mph in an earlier practice, but the weather conditions prevented this from happening on the actual recorded attempt.

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The Jaguar XJ-R (144.7mph)

Temporarily, this satisfied Mike’s lust for speed, but in September of that year, Mike was prompted to consider attempting a land speed record in a car. After the seed was planted, it wasn’t until September 2002 that one of his customers, John Galloway of Mantado, a Manchester based PR and Design Agency, offered Mike the opportunity to work together to get the project off the ground.

In the ensuing ten months, Mike and John worked to put the project together, and gained the support of Bolton based Jaguar Dealer, Mead of Bolton, in particular the main dealer, James Butler.

And so, in August 2003, in front of a worldwide audience, Mike drove his Jaguar XJ-R at 144.7mph. Whereas the motorcycle record was measured by his speed at a specified point, the car record was calculated as the average speed of a measured mile, over two runs in opposite directions.

This world record attempt and the build up to it, was chronicled in the documentary, At the Speed of Sight, by Manchester based filmmaker, Oliver Warren.

As before, this quenched Mike’s need for speed for a couple of months, until he decided to set his sights on the next record, to become the first blind driver to drive in excess of 200mph.

Articles about the 2003 Blind Land Speed Record attempt.

1. Guide Dogs and Leaping Cats
   Jaguar World Magazine 10.03, page 57
2. They Can't See, But Watch Them Go
   Sunday Times (Motors) 31.08.03, page 9
3. Blind Speed: World record smashed by unsighted driver
   The Guardian 14.08.03, page 10
4. Blind Driver Roars to a World Record
   Daily Mail 14.08.03, page 36
5. Blind Driver is Speed King
   Manchester Evening News 14.08.03, page 17
   

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The Invicta

This time, Mike received the backing of British supercar manufacturer, The Invicta Car Company, and global charity VISION2020: The Right For Sight, whilst retaining the sponsors of the previous record attempt, Barclays Bank, Scan Computers and Datron Technologies.

Providing one of their supercharged S1 GT coupe, British supercar manufacturer, The Invicta Car Company, custom built a unique vehicle capable of travelling in excess of the target of 200mph. The project’s sponsors (including LY Property Investment & Management, Barclays Bank, Scan Computers and Datron Technologies) committed themselves to supporting Mike and through his record attempt, enhanced the profile of global charity VISION2020: The Right to Sight, Mike’s nominated charity. The aim of VISION2020 is to eradicate preventable and curable blindness, which affects 50million people worldwide, by the year 2020.

The date was set of October 14th 2004, World Sight Day.

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The BMW M5 (178.5 mph)

Mike Newman broke his existing record of 144.7mph (set in a Jaguar in August 2003 at Elvington Aerodrome) in a specially-engineered BMW M5. While the car is normally electronically limited to 155mph, BMW produced a one-off, derestricted car for the record attempt capable of a top speed of 205mph. This would usually require a longer test area than available at Elvington, but the record was made possible by state-of-the-art computers, communications and microSAT GPS equipment supplied by Sponsors Scan Computers, Site Link and Datron Technologies.  Factory-standard Continental tyres ensured the M5 kept in contact with the runway at all times.  The project was carefully managed and co-ordinated by Mantado.

Articles about the 2005 Blind Land Speed Record attempt.

1. Blind Driver
   Inside Out - North West: Monday October 31, 2005

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The Keating TKR Supercar

With the support of his Team and Sponsors Mike intends to drive again.  This time the speeds will be in excess of 200mph.

The location, time and date are yet to be confirmed; however we can exclusively reveal that Mike’s dream car is being built in Manchester by the UK’s newest super car designer Antony Keating.

With 2000bhp and capable of reaching speeds in excess of 270mph Mike has to admit that the anticipation more than raises the pulse!  “We are taking a significant step up the ladder and this will be no mean feat.  I am really delighted that we have been able to find something a bit ‘fast and furious’ in our own country.  To be supported by your ‘home team’ means everything”.

Keating Supercar Specifications

 

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