Blind Belgian Sets Speed Record in Lamborghini

L'ISLE SUR LA SORGUE, France — GTDrive is a French race-training and rental company that lets amateurs get behind the wheel of such fantasy cars as the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Ferrari F430, the Audi R8 and the Porsche Carrera. "Go from dream to reality" is the company slogan. That's just what Belgian Luc Costermans has done in a Gallardo, setting the world record for blind driving when he reached 192 mph on an airstrip.

With co-driver Guillaume Roman by his side, Costermans made the turn around the closed Istres air strip with media and gendarmes observing. The speed run can be viewed on the Web.

Costermans, interviewed by French television, explained that his co-driver gave him explicit directions and information about surface conditions during the drive. He praised Roman's "total confidence in what I am able to do." He also said his feat — coupled with his recent exploit of making a tour of France piloting a light airplane — carries a message of encouragement to other non-sighted people to get out of the house and try new things. The record attempt lined up with the annual World Sight Day, an initiative of the World Health Organization.

In the TV interview, Costermans also exulted in grabbing the blind-driving record away from the British. The previous record holder was Mike Newman of the U.K., who reached 166 mph in a BMW M5 three years ago — although, it should be noted, Newman was alone in that car.

Inside Line says: Bravo to the intrepid Messrs. Costermans and Romans for going for the gusto.