And now, from the "Mister Magoo Driving School" files and Yahoo! News...

(Sudiegirl sez: I believe this is what many call a “dubious distinction”. If you were Frank Sinatra, you’d call it a “dooby-dooby-dubious distinction”. If you were Hanna-Barbera, you’d call it a “Scooby-Doobious distinction”. If you were my psychiatrist, you would be getting the white coat with long sleeves ready for my sorry ass…read on)

World's fastest blind driver…
Fri Sep 9,11:25 AM ET
A South African became the world's fastest blind driver Thursday after driving across a remote airstrip at 269 kph (167 mph). (Can you tell me where in that statement I am supposed to be OK with this?)

Blind since birth, 33-year-old Hein Wagner of Cape Town had a sighted navigator for his record attempt. After crossing the airfield, he told reporters he wanted to do it again but was considering piloting an aircraft for his next record attempt. (Note to self…don’t fly somewhere for at least three years, definitely not in the direction of South Africa.)

"I'm very happy," said Wagner, whose drive in a borrowed Maserati V8 GranSport was monitored by motoring organization Motorsport SA and filmed for the Guinness Book of World Records. (That poor Maserati owner…or is that something I should not feel sorry for him over? I mean, that’s stupid! What, this guy came up to his door and said, “Hello, I’m trying to set the world speed/blind driving record and I was wondering if you had a sports car you weren’t using?” No. No. Just – no. I don’t get the rational thought process in loaning a blind guy your very expensive sports car so he can set this kind of record. If I were his insurance agent, I’d beat him senseless.)

The drive, on an airstrip near South Africa's border with Botswana, was aimed at increasing public awareness of problems facing blind people and raising money for a national charity for the blind. (That’s a very honorable thing to do, but for God’s sake, what’s wrong with a bake sale?)
The previous record, set by a blind British bank manager, was 233 kph (145 mph). (Apparently the blind British bank manager was unavailable for comment?)
"I drove it with no insurance. No one wanted to give any to us," Wagner told national news agency SAPA. (Well, apparently this guy is not only blind, he can’t keep his damned mouth shut! Any other laws broken this attempt? I’m sure he’ll tell us…just stay ready.)

Sudiegirl’s final opinion?

This makes my blood run cold. I mean, I’m not heartless by any means, and I think raising awareness of disabilities is important, but for GOD’s SAKE! No insurance? So if he died, and his sighted navigator died also, people are just supposed to suck up the expense of what happened? Apparently “liability” and “personal responsibility” is for pussies, at least in South Africa.

Oh well, I’m keepin’ my glasses on.

Sudiegirl the highly myopic