Blind Behind the Wheel, a car race for blind individuals.
Help to Dream an "Impossible" Dream!
Driving a car would seem like an impossible dream for a blind individual. Yet, almost 30 blind youth have done so in the past five years, in actual race cars. Being in race cars, of course they were also racing, some in speeds up to 90 kmh. To help to find the way, local NASCAR Stock Car racers are in the passenger seat, navigating the blind racers around the 1/4 mile oval race track.
In 2012, the Blind Race was on June 2, just before the regular NASCAR sanctioned race night at Edmonton International Raceway, in Wetaskiwin.
Here is some recent followup from that:
1. CTV News did a two minute news segment about me and Ryan Kucy. Ryan is legally blind, and also half deaf, so it is a bit of a challenge to get him around the race track at 85 kmh. Link to the CTV segment:http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.849407
2. Cory Martin, who is blind, visited some friends in Edmonton. They were curious about the Blind Behind the Wheel race. So I took Cory out for a Sunday drive at the race track. Here is Cory's blog posting about that:
http://www.nerdball.net/2012/08/26/blind-behind-the-wheel-of-a-racecar-2/
WE NEED A FEW SCRAP CARS!
We are looking for donations, or very low priced, front wheel drive cars with 4 cylinder engine and automatic transmission. Current condition is unimportant as we can fix most anything automotive. These cars will be built for the 2013 race and then kept for future Blind Behind the Wheel Races. That means that most everything on both the exterior and interior of the car will be removed anyhow, so collission damage is OK, as is a messed up interior. We can also accept other cars that could be recycled and funding the needed safety parts, like the roll cage and five point seatbelts for both the blind driver and race navigators. In an ideal setting, we can use up to five donated or low price cars. And we can use several more other cars for funding. You will be recognized, get race updates and a few free tickets for the race if you donate or sell a car. We can pick up most anything automotive in Alberta.
Contact Alar Aksberg, the President of Wetaskiwin Stock Car Club, who organizes the Blind Behind the Wheel Race.
Info@EdmontonBlindRace.com or phone 780 909-0215
The Blind Behind the Wheel Race Format
The Blind Behind the Wheel Races begins with practice mid afternoon. Then at around 5:00 PM, we have the qualifying heat races. Regular NASCAR classes races begin around 6 PM. And the Blind Behind the Wheel Feature Races (finals) will be around the intermission for the regular NASCAR races, around 8PM. The regular race classes on June 2 were;
- Future stock = race prepared 4 cyl family cars, simlar to what will be used for the Blind Behind the Wheel Race. These drivers are 12 - 15 years of age.
- Mini Cup = less than half size cars, with 8 - 15 year old drivers.
- Thunder Car = race prepared V8 "street" cars.
- Super Stock = special build V8 cars that look like street cars. Close to the full blown the NASCAR cars seen on TV, but with some restrictions to remain safe for the very close short track racing experienced at EIR in Wetaskiwin.
The short way to the track (about 45 minute drive south of Edmonton) is to drive south on Hwy 2, take Hwy 2 A on the south end of Leduc, through Millet to the north limits of Wetaskiwin. That is also the first stop light, and the intersection with Hwy 13. You turn right (west) and drive 4 km, past the Golf Course, on a bit of gravel road, and the track grandstands are obvious when you get there. An alternative road: You could also drive Hwy 2 to the Hwy 13 exit to Wetaskiwin. There is a sign pointing north, to the track, about 2 km before the Reynolds Alberta Museum, drive the about 3 km of gravel road to the track. Adult entry ticket is $15, family $40.
As most any sporting venue, the track has a full concession, is licenced for adult beverages, and has to follow common regulations that discourage you from bringing your own foods and drinks.
In 2010, there were over 20 blind drivers registered, with 18 racing. 2012 had 13 blind racers. Expect several qualifying heat races with up to five blind drivers racing in each. This year we may get the by far the biggest Blind Behind the Wheel race to date.
Can we improve on the $8,000 raised in 2010 towards a puppy in training?
YouTube video links:
Promotion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iHXeI9QEe0
Video from races http://www.youtube.com/user/bdwilkie#p/a/u/0/jgu1GzgqJOE
There are several more videos by searching "Edmonton Blind Behind the Wheel Race" on YouTube.
For future updates from this website, email:
info@EdmontonBlindRace.com or call 780 909-0215
For race track information, check http://www.EdmontonRaceway.com
PS! Each one of those Guide Dog puppies cost $50,000 over the almost two years of training before they are getting into service with a blind individual. Perhaps we will not get enough for a whole dog by this adventure, but we will for sure create a very happy wagging tail on a puppy in training. See the Donation Form on this website. (Link on top.)
Also, more information on http://www.PlayContribution.com