Blind Belgian breaks speed record in borrowed Lamborghini
For most of us, once we're able to sweet talk our way into Lamborghini Gallardo, going 192 mph isn't that difficult. But Luc Costermans has at least one more major obstacle to overcome: he's been blind for four years.
Despite that, he managed to borrow an orange Gallardo for an attempt on the Blind Speed Record. Congratulations are in order for both Luc and the Gallardo's owner, as the record was broken and the Gallardo apparently wasn't. Luc set the Blind Speed Record at 192 mph, Saturday, at an airstrip in Istres, France.
"I'm very, very happy. It's a team effort," Luc said after the run. His co-pilot, Guillaume Roman, wasn't quoted in any of the stories we read, but we assume he breathed a deep sigh of relief. Seriously, who volunteers to ride shotgun with a blind driver in a Gallardo doing almost 200 mph?
Luc can't rest on his laurels. Previous record-holder Mike Newman is hoping to hit 200 mph in a
Keating TKR. Anyone got a Veyron Luc borrow? Anyone?
See video of the record-breaking run here. Be warned that it's not in English.
[Source: BBC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Swede 9:36AM (10/12/2008)
God forbid you'd ever hear a language you don't understand.
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Kitko 12:45PM (10/12/2008)
Why, it makes perfect sense :-)
I remember an old American lady answering question if she's not ashamed for speaking only English. "It was good language for Jesus Christ so it must be good language for me", was her answer. Also sprach Zarathustra ... Amen.
Flashpoint 5:41PM (10/12/2008)
SCENT OF A WOMAN
tankd0g 9:42AM (10/12/2008)
Borrowed, ahahah, ya that's definitely the way to do it.
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Michael 9:54AM (10/12/2008)
Yeah, um.
I don't care how rich I am. I would never lend my freakin' Lamborghini to a blind man.
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Biomech 10:20AM (10/12/2008)
A couple hundred thousand to replace a Lambo wouldn't be much for some rich people. Or are you saying all rich people are selfish, heartless people? Doubt that.
Amien 10:03AM (10/12/2008)
Come on guys, give it up for the man. It takes balls of steel to do that speed when you can't see.
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B 11:12AM (10/12/2008)
it must take balls of titanium to be the copilot then.
You can see but dont have peddles or a wheel.
Ray 2:40PM (10/09/2009)
And the lungs of Pavarotti to scream that long and loud being driven that fast by a blind man. Kudos to the guy, an inspiration if I've ever seen one.
Hike15 10:48AM (10/12/2008)
whats the top speed of a stock gallardo?
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Aaron 11:08AM (10/12/2008)
depending on the model, between but between 193 and 195mph
Nick 11:10AM (10/12/2008)
I couldn't see anything in that video.
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imoore 9:48AM (10/13/2008)
What's with your avatar?
Mobius_1 11:23AM (10/12/2008)
How many non-blind people have driven at 192 mph? I'm afraid it's not that many.
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MajorGeek 12:35PM (10/12/2008)
I disagree. Being blind is a huge challenge itself, this was simply risking your life for no good reason. If you want to feel g's ride a roller coaster or take a plane trip.
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jcar302 1:13PM (10/12/2008)
A gallardo doesn't crack 200?
I dunno, if i'm dropping 200,000 on a car, the top speed better damn well start with 2 and be followed by two more digits.
As far as the blind guy doing it, more power to him. I'm sure it was in a controlled enviorment, so i don't see a concern there.
People with dissabilities deserve to live and enjoy life too.
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Aaron 2:39PM (10/12/2008)
the LP 560-4 tops out at 203
but -1 to you for only caring about top speed
as long as its above 150, all that matters is how fast it gets there
jcar302 3:02PM (10/12/2008)
Who said all i care about is top speed? Don't assume.
I care about both the quarter and top speed, and for 200k, a car should run 11's and go over 200mph.
According to R&T this thing does not run 11's, and the mph isn't all that impressive either.
Andi Baritchi 4:24PM (10/12/2008)
Not to take anything away from Luc Costermans' awesome achievement, but am I the only one that sees a blind man barreling down an airstrip in a borrowed Lamborghini at mind-numbing speeds as a metaphor for our banker friends and our economy? Heh.
Cheers,
Andi
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Seminole 4:50PM (10/12/2008)
This is like a more intense version of Wednesday's Mythbusters where they had a blind man drive around an abandoned military base. Both are equally as cool.
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