For 21 years, the Granby Autodrome has been hosting the craziest race in the world: Défi Vision, a fund-raising event for the Mira Foundation. Last Friday night, 38 cars took part in a memorable 10-lap competition.
Of course, you should know that the drivers were all blind people assisted by a sighted co-driver. Do you "see" how crazy that sounds? So instead of a few minutes, the race lasted more than 20. Collisions, sudden stops and out-of-control accelerations seemed to happen everywhere, all the time -- and that was just the beginning.
A single team managed to cross the start/finish line 10 times... despite losing a tire on the way! Normand Laporte and Marc Breton won the event and couldn't have been more proud, especially since Défi Vision is the only car race for blind people to be included in the Guinness Book of Records.
The three Auto123.com representatives unsuccessfully tried to steer their team to victory. Marc Bouchard only completed 5 laps, while Bertrand Godin wound up 3 laps ahead. Daniel Lafrance and his young driver managed to deliver a more impressive performance by completing 9 laps. Other journalists and celebrities, like the Leader of the Opposition in Quebec, Mario Dumont, and the widow of Gilles Villeneuve, Joanna, also participated in the race.
"The big winner, obviously, is the Mira Foundation, which collected a record $95,000 this year", said event organizer Jean Royer, who is also blind.
Since the beginning of Défi Vision, more than $1.4 million has been raised to train guiding dogs and provide support to blind people.
"Profits come from sponsors, partners like the Granby Autodrome and Wal-Mart as well as the 10,000 spectators who attended the race. It was really an unforgettable night. I personally feel like this year, I had the most fun ever," Royer added.
As for the cars, they were all good for scrap. The focus now shifts to the 22nd edition of Défi Vision, which will be held in June of 2009.
photo:Philippe Champoux
Of course, you should know that the drivers were all blind people assisted by a sighted co-driver. Do you "see" how crazy that sounds? So instead of a few minutes, the race lasted more than 20. Collisions, sudden stops and out-of-control accelerations seemed to happen everywhere, all the time -- and that was just the beginning.
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A single team managed to cross the start/finish line 10 times... despite losing a tire on the way! Normand Laporte and Marc Breton won the event and couldn't have been more proud, especially since Défi Vision is the only car race for blind people to be included in the Guinness Book of Records.
The three Auto123.com representatives unsuccessfully tried to steer their team to victory. Marc Bouchard only completed 5 laps, while Bertrand Godin wound up 3 laps ahead. Daniel Lafrance and his young driver managed to deliver a more impressive performance by completing 9 laps. Other journalists and celebrities, like the Leader of the Opposition in Quebec, Mario Dumont, and the widow of Gilles Villeneuve, Joanna, also participated in the race.
"The big winner, obviously, is the Mira Foundation, which collected a record $95,000 this year", said event organizer Jean Royer, who is also blind.
Since the beginning of Défi Vision, more than $1.4 million has been raised to train guiding dogs and provide support to blind people.
"Profits come from sponsors, partners like the Granby Autodrome and Wal-Mart as well as the 10,000 spectators who attended the race. It was really an unforgettable night. I personally feel like this year, I had the most fun ever," Royer added.
As for the cars, they were all good for scrap. The focus now shifts to the 22nd edition of Défi Vision, which will be held in June of 2009.
photo:Philippe Champoux
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