Blind Motorcyclist Stuart Gunn from Edinburgh Breaks Speed Record
Stuart Gunn approaches every corner and every straightaway, blind. On Saturday, August 17, 2013, Gunn became the fastest disabled motorcycle rider when he set a new world speed record for traveling 167.1mph (268.86 kmh) aboard his Suzuki Hayabusa at an event held at Elvington Airfield, Yorkshire, UK.
Stuart Gunn with his dad Geoff
Stuart and his fater Geoff have been riding for years side by side. For the record breaking ride, Father, Geoff, and another rider flanked Stuart on either side. They used a helmet com system to tell Stuart when he drifted off course, or needed to make a correction. Once he was set, the intercom was used to tell Stuart when to brake at the end of the course.
Father and son developed the technique and communication system to enable Stuart to set the motorcycle speed record. On Sunday, he attempted to hit 190 mph. Simply incredible.
Stuart Gunn by Ross Parry
Blind biker Stuart Gunn on his Hayabusa
Gunn is 39-years-old. At 28 he broke his back in two places, shattered several ribs and paralyses his shoulder in a road accident. A car smashed into his bike, throwing Stuart through the windshield. Years later a seizure caused Stuart to loose his sight.
Stuart told the_Suzuki Bulletin_ he nearly died, and doctors told him he was never going to walk, let alone ride a motorcycle. But Stuart had always hated being told what he could and could not do, so he worked hard during his recuperation sessions, and in two years time he was walking with a stick. Suzuki Bulletin
'I couldn't feel any of the right side of my body but over the years I've got better and now I have 40 per cent feeling in my right arm, but I still can't feel my legs.' dailyrecord.co.uk
'I hope this proves to people that just because you are blind or have a disability, doesn't mean it should change or limit your life,' said Stuart, from Edinburgh. Metro.co.uk
Unfortunately the only video of the world record is less than stellar, but here it is for your viewing pleasure.
[cid=22267,http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/1Eo_CyLWd1Y/hqdefault.jpg]
Stuart Gunn, we salut you.
