Mike Newman and his Speed of Sight team have rewritten the Guinness Book of World Records, again!

On Tuesday 11th October 2005 at Elvington Aerodrome near York (England), Mike Newman rewrote his World Blind Land Speed Record, driving alone in a BMW M5. The 507 hp M5 powered to an average speed of 269.28 km/h (167.32 mph) over a measured mile in both directions, being the Guinness criterion for the record. In the process, Mike hit a peak speed of 287.27 km/h (178.5 mph).

After breaking the record, Mike Newman said: "This is dedicated to the charity VISION 2020: The Right To Sight on World Sight Day. The aim of VISION 2020 is to eradicate the world of preventable and avoidable blindness by the year 2020."

He continued: "Not enough is done to help the visual impaired communities around the world. In many cases, increasing the levels of Vitamin A in a child’s diet or a simple cataract operation would transform a life. I hope this record draws increased attention to this very important global issue."

Mike Newman broke his existing record of 232.87 km/h (144.7 mph) (set in a Jaguar in August 2003 at Elvington Aerodrome) in a specially-engineered BMW M5. While the car is normally electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), BMW produced a one-off, derestricted car for the record attempt capable of a top speed of 329.92 km/h (205 mph). Factory-standard Continental tyres ensured the M5 kept in contact with the runway at all times.

The record was made possible by state-of-the-art computers, communications and microSAT GPS equipment supplied by sponsors Scan Computers, Site Link and Datron Technologies while the project was managed and coordinated by mantado-pr.

Mike Newman, alone, in the BMW M5

Mitsubishi Grandis Gets Luxury Treatment
12th October, 2005
Mitsubishi’s Grandis people-mover has had a luxury make-over as part of a model upgrade, and now offers even better value for money in its new guise ..... more

Aston Martin wins 2005 Luxury Briefing Award
11th October, 2005
Aston Martin was recognised in the annual Luxury Briefing Awards with the 2005 ‘Award for Excellence’ in the luxury arena ..... more

Porsche Secures Stake In Volkswagen
11th October, 2005
After already purchasing 10.26 per cent of VW’s common stock, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has now secured another 8.27 per cent of the common stock of Volkswagen AG ..... more

Record Month As Small Car Sales Boom
10th October, 2005
The Australian motor vehicle market continues to head towards a new annual record, driven by a big increase in demand for smaller cars and light trucks ..... more

Mitsubishi Announce 380 Pricing
10th October, 2005
MMAL has announced the pricing for its new 380 range, and to compliment the stylish 380’s extensive range of features and industry leading 5/10 warranty, Mitsubishi is adding another industry first to the 380 range – the provision of 5 years' roadside assistance as standard with all 380 models ..... more

Viva is Holden's Big News
10th October, 2005
Holden has launched Viva – a new nameplate, for the Holden brand ..... more

America's Avanti For 2006
10th October, 2005
The legendary and resilient Avanti Motors will make its mark this month with the redefined and redesigned coupe and convertible models ..... more

Peugeot at Sydney's Motor Show
6th October, 2005
The 2005 Australian International Motor Show will prove to be one of the biggest ever shows for the Peugeot brand in Australia ..... more

Audi launches new TDI engine for A4
5th October, 2005
Next week’s 2005 Australian International Motor Show, in Sydney, will mark the Australian launch of Audi’s latest hi-tech turbo diesel engine for the best-selling A4 ..... more

Mazda Has Record September
4th October, 2005
Record September retail sales of 4,931 have encouraged Mazda Australia to revise its2005 sales target to a benchmark 67,000 ..... more

Nissan Tiida Sport Concept Coming To Sydney
3rd October, 2005
The Nissan Tiida Sport Concept, which will make its Australian debut at the 2005 Australian International Motor Show, is the latest in a series of dynamic performance/youth concept vehicles ..... more

The 100,000th Audi Cabriolet
2nd October, 2005
The 100,000th Audi Cabriolet was produced at the company’s Karmann facility last week ..... more

2007 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible
30th September, 2005
The Ford Shelby GT500, one of the most anticipated and powerful cars for America in 2006, just got hotter with the announcement that a convertible version will join the Ford line-up ..... more

Bentley Announces Stunning New Convertible
27th September, 2005
Bentley Motors has announced the pending introduction of the Continental GTC. The new luxury 2+2 convertible completes the Bentley Continental model range ..... more

I'm Always Dreamin'
20th September, 2005
Codenamed ‘Project Tempest’, development work on a core range of affordable, high performance cars, is now at an advanced stage ..... more

Invicta S1-600
25th June, 2004
The Invicta Car Company is to build a special supercharged version of its V8-powered S1 luxury coupe to help Britain’s fastest blind driver ...... more