Our Story
How it began
It all started with one man. One man we like to call “Super Human, Mike Newman” born completely blind.
Our mission
Speed of Sight is committed to the promotion of opportunity for children and adults of all abilities.
It's not just about the thrill of the drive. It's about transformation, it's about proving what IS possible.
We believe that people who can take part in a sporting or physical activity find it helps with their self-esteem, social interaction and physical and mental wellbeing. With this in mind, we provide a motorsport experience for people with disabilities.
Our history
In 2012 along with his friend John Galloway, Mike Newman set up Speed of Sight charity.
We now have eight, specially designed and built cars - five racing cars and three all-terrain buggies. They allow people of all ages with disabilities to enjoy the excitement and thrill of driving. The vehicles, named after Mike’s guide dogs, are specially designed with dual controls and twin steering wheels and most of our vehicles are equipped with hand controls. Our experiences take place nationwide at racing circuits and off-road tracks
About Mike Newman BEM
From childhood Mike wanted to be a racing car driver but, being blind, he never thought that dream would come true but then he asked himself..........what if?
Accomplishments & Awards
In 2001 Mike achieved his first Guinness World record by riding a motorcycle, gaining the record for the world’s fastest blind rider.
This was just the beginning!
Mike’s tally of world and Guinness world records include:
- 2001 Guinness world record on a motorcycle
- 2003 Guinness world record in a car – 144mph (driving Jaguar XJR)
- 2005 Guinness world record in a car – 167mph (driving BMW M5)
- 2010 Most loop the loops in a plane – 26 loop the loops in close formation with 3 other planes
- 2013 -Guinness world record in a car – 186mph (driving Porsche GT2)
- 2013 Guinness world record in a Power Boat – 93mph (Silverline 45 foot powerboat)
- 2014 Guinness world record in a car – 200.4mph (driving Nissan GTR)
- 2015 Guinness world record in a racing truck – 120mph
In 2012 Mike Newman BEM founded Speed Of Sight, a charity that delivers life-changing driving experiences for people with disabilities including sensory loss, cognitive and physical impairments.
2016 Online Campaign
Commercial for Michelin Tyres viewed by more than 1 million people in week one. See advert Michelin Tyres Driving Passion
2017 Online Ad Campaign
Commercial for Audi Italia viewed by more than 4 million people online. Because of the online success it moved to televised ad campaign on Italian TV.
See Audi Italia commercial: Audi Trust Race
2017 Mike Newman listed in Power 100
Britain's most influential disabled people (8th place out of 100)
TV appearances
Car SOS programme on National Geographic and More4 - Channel 4, ITV News Wales.
Has appeared on… The One Show, 5th Gear, My Big Day ITV documentary, Inside BBC Documentary, BBC News, ITV News, Channel 4 News, Channel 5 News, Sky News, Discovery Channel, ITVs Good Morning Britain and Mazda TV Documentary channel
2023 Awarded New Year Honour
Awarded the British Empire Medal for services to people with disabilities.