My Speed of Sight Journey: Helping to Make the Impossible Possible

I first met Speed of Sight co-founders Mike Newman and John Galloway at a driving instructor event in Nottingham in 2012 or 2013. Mike was accompanied by his guide dog, Baxter, and the team had brought one of the charity’s specially adapted cars for visitors to see.

I was immediately fascinated. The car had two steering wheels, allowing someone who might never be able to drive on the road to experience being behind the wheel with an approved driving instructor beside them.

It was a brilliant idea—and I wanted to be part of it.

I registered as a volunteer, but the charity was not holding events in my area at the time, so the opportunity did not progress. I stayed in touch, however, and continued meeting the team at driving instructor events over the following years.

I did not know it then, but that first encounter would eventually lead to something very special.

From fundraising to getting behind the wheel

Several years later, I began helping the ADINJC with its events and was invited to join the committee as Charities Liaison Officer.

Speed of Sight was the organisation’s nominated charity, which gave me the opportunity to help raise much-needed funds for its work. Unfortunately, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought face-to-face events to a halt, our fundraising activities were significantly affected.

Around that time, I heard that Speed of Sight was holding a training day for its driving instructors at Wombwell Raceway. I decided to make the two-hour journey to learn more about what was involved and see how the money raised by the ADINJC was being used.

That visit changed everything.

Experiencing the challenge for myself

During the training day, I saw the excitement on participants’ faces as they experienced driving for themselves.

I was also given the opportunity to drive one of the cars while blindfolded. Suddenly, I had to place complete trust in the instructor beside me and respond entirely to their directions.

It was frightening and liberating in equal measure.

As driving instructors, we are used to being the person in control. We watch the road, anticipate risks and guide someone else through every decision. Being unable to see forced me to experience that relationship from a completely different perspective.

It gave me a much deeper understanding of the trust participants place in their instructors—and of the freedom these experiences can create.

Throughout the day, I heard people explain how Speed of Sight had helped them discover confidence they did not know they had. I also spoke with experienced volunteers who described the joy of seeing each participant’s reaction after a drive.

The instructors might spend the entire day in the cars, but the smiles made every minute worthwhile.

That was when I realised the ADINJC could do more than raise money. We could also help Speed of Sight recruit driving instructors.

I decided that process should begin with me.

Becoming part of the Speed of Sight family

Since then, I have attended almost every event I have been able to.

At first, the team regularly reminded me that volunteers were not expected to attend every track day. Now, they tend to assume I will be there—and they are usually right.

I am completely hooked on seeing the happiness, freedom and confidence these experiences give people.

Speed of Sight creates driving opportunities for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. Its specially designed vehicles have dual controls and twin steering wheels, enabling participants to drive while being supported by an approved driving instructor. Events take place at racing circuits and off-road venues around the country.

The experience is about much more than driving a car. It is about challenging expectations and showing people what is possible.

Meet the Speed of Sight fleet

Fundraising has enabled the charity to develop and maintain an extraordinary collection of adapted cars and buggies.

Every vehicle has its own name and personality. The fleet has included:

  • Usher, the original Caterham and the charity’s only manual car
  • Simon, the second Caterham
  • Charlie, the white off-road buggy
  • Ross, the red off-road buggy
  • Orla, a smaller buggy funded with support from Cash for Kids and designed for younger participants
  • Baxter, Stanton and Dave, the three MEV Exocets

The Exocets came about after MEV Kit Cars listened to what Mike needed and attended a track day to see the existing vehicles in action. The company went on to build two cars, generously donating the second, and a third was later purchased.

Most of the vehicles have been named after Mike’s guide dogs. Dave is the exception: he was named after a Labrador belonging to the team at MEV.

These cars are far more than impressive pieces of engineering. Each one creates an opportunity for someone to experience independence, achievement and exhilaration.

The people who make it possible

One of the greatest privileges of volunteering has been meeting so many remarkable people.

Participants have included Paralympians, sportspeople and individuals from every kind of background. Each has their own story, but all demonstrate how much can be achieved when people are given the right opportunity and support.

I have also met an incredible community of volunteers:

  • Motorsport marshals and paramedics who keep everybody safe
  • Driving instructors who sit beside participants and guide them around the track
  • Family members who come along to help once and then continue returning
  • Former participants who later become volunteers themselves
  • Fundraisers and supporters who keep the cars running and the events accessible

Everyone gives their time to create something very powerful: joy, hope and confidence.

That sense of community is one of the reasons I keep returning.

More than a driving experience

Through Speed of Sight, I have visited some wonderful venues around the UK, including Silverstone, circuits in Scotland and tracks on the Isle of Man and in Wales.

The locations may change, but the atmosphere remains the same. There is nervous anticipation before the drive, complete concentration on the track and an unmistakable sense of achievement afterwards.

For some participants, it is the first time they have been told, “Yes, you can,” rather than being reminded of what they cannot do.

That is what makes the charity so special.

Sue Duncan

ADINJC General Secretary

 

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