User:Ladyface74

Mike Newman, who was born blind, has been accustomed to overcoming life’s obstacles, his determination and desire to succeed has never withered. From being a child in a mainstream school through to adult life, starting employment in a bank as a receptionist to eventually become a business bank manager and having a very successful career.

Six times Guinness world record holder Mike first satisfied his appetite for speed in 2001 when he rode an Aprilia Falco 2000cc V twin superbike and reached 89mph after only 3 days practice. This was only the beginning; the next step in Mike’s adventure was to conquer four wheels, which he did. . . . . four times! And who even needs wheels to set Guinness world speed records – not Mike! In November 2013 he also achieved a Guinness water speed record, the only other person holding the accolade of both land and water speed records at the same time being his hero Donald Campbell.

Mike's achievements:

2001 Achieved Guinness Motorbike Land Speed Record 89mph: Mike Newman has achieved 5 Guinness land speed records since August 2001 when he broke the world land speed record driving a motorcycle at an astonishing 89mph.

2003 Achieved Guinness Land Speed Record 144mph: Mike drove a supercharged XJR Jaguar to 144 mph at Elvington Airfield, York. He did it to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind and Vision 2020.

2005 Beat his Guinness Blind Land Speed Record 176mph: Mike once again broke his own record, set in 2003, when he drove a BMW M5 to a top speed of 178mph and averaging a speed of 167mph. It was filmed for Channel Five's Fifth Gear Programme.

2011 World Blind Aerial Acrobatic Record: Gained as part of a team record with The Blades aerobatic team, Mike achieved world blind record for flying the most consecutive loops in formation.

2013 Beat his Guinness Blind Land Speed Record 186mph: Mike took back the land speed record with an average speed of 186mph.

2013 Achieved Guinness Water Speed Record 93.58mph: Mike sets the first Guinness Blind Water Speed Record with an average of 93.58mph.

2014 Beat his Guinness Blind Land Speed Record 200.9mph: Mike finally achieved his long standing ambition to become the first blind person in history to drive solo at over 200mph and as such has now amassed his 6th Guinness land speed record, driving a Litchfield LM1 RS reaching an average speed of 200.9mph along the airstrip of Elvington Airfield located in york on the 13th August 2014.