written by Jenelle Schroder, Vision Australia staff member, client and participant in the driving day.
For a second year, people who are blind or have low vision took to Sydney Motorsports Park at Eastern Creek this past weekend for a chance to get behind the wheel.
Sisters Emma Whitfield and Katelyn McGeachie organized the first Drive Day in 2014 in memory of their vision impaired brother, Angus Suttor. After last year’s success, the sisters put together an eager team for Drive Day 2015, with a variety of cars, motor cycles and hot rods, and around 60 blind or low vision drivers.
Many Vision Australia clients who attended, like myself, had never had the opportunity to drive a car before and jumped at the chance to see what it was like. But drivers of all experience levels and ages were represented.
For Sandy Cooper, who recalls driving around her family farm outside of Cowra, the day was a chance to get back behind the wheel after many years. Sandy’s sight has been in decline due to aniridia, however she and her husband still visit Bathurst in the off season each year.
James Burley-Jukes, on the other hand, had only 50 hours under his belt as a learner driver before he began losing his sight to Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. At just 17, he’s now driven over 90kmph on a speedway.
Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton and Regional Manager Brendan McMahon also did a few laps of the track blindfolded, to get a feel for the experience. Ron proved to be as fearless as any of the vision impaired drivers when he managed to set off his car’s speed limiter alarm on the straight.
The day could not have been possible without the generosity of sponsors, contributors and volunteers, many of whom had returned to share in the fun for a second year.
“There are a lot of new and old faces,” said Kayleen Lewis, a returning volunteer, “A lot of new faces because there’s a bigger number of people and a lot more cars and bikes.”
CEO and founder of OnRoad Driving School, Ronak Shah, who provided eight cars and instructors, said he was very pleased to be part of the day again, and had looked forward to building on last year’s event, “We wanted to see how a manual would work this year. Surprisingly the drivers who tried it were very comfortable.”
A more challenging manual driving experience was not the only change to the 2015 line up. There were also a greater variety of V8 hot rods that vision impaired people and their families could take a ride in, including a Ford Mercury, a Chevy Camaro, and my favourite, a pre-world war two model Ford Coup.
“The hot rods are great for families,” said Kayleen, “It gives them a chance to do something together.”
"The joy on people’s faces is the best thing,” added Lisa Matley, another returning volunteer. And with the day being heralded as such a success, there is already anticipation for next year’s event, from both vision impaired drivers and volunteers alike.
“I was part of one of their first experiences,” reflects Lisa, “If we could do this every weekend, we would love it,”
For their support in making this day possible, thanks go to:
For a second year, people who are blind or have low vision took to Sydney Motorsports Park at Eastern Creek this past weekend for a chance to get behind the wheel. Sisters Emma Whitfield and Katelyn McGeachie organized the first Drive Day in 2014 in memory of their vision impaired brother, Angus Suttor. After last year’s success, the sisters put together an eager team for Drive Day 2015, with a variety of cars, motor cycles and hot rods, and around 60 blind or low vision drivers.
Many Vision Australia clients who attended, like myself, had never had the opportunity to drive a car before and jumped at the chance to see what it was like. But drivers of all experience levels and ages were represented.
For Sandy Cooper, who recalls driving around her family farm outside of Cowra, the day was a chance to get back behind the wheel after many years. Sandy’s sight has been in decline due to aniridia, however she and her husband still visit Bathurst in the off season each year.
James Burley-Jukes, on the other hand, had only 50 hours under his belt as a learner driver before he began losing his sight to Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. At just 17, he’s now driven over 90kmph on a speedway.
Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton and Regional Manager Brendan McMahon also did a few laps of the track blindfolded, to get a feel for the experience. Ron proved to be as fearless as any of the vision impaired drivers when he managed to set off his car’s speed limiter alarm on the straight. The day could not have been possible without the generosity of sponsors, contributors and volunteers, many of whom had returned to share in the fun for a second year.
“There are a lot of new and old faces,” said Kayleen Lewis, a returning volunteer, “A lot of new faces because there’s a bigger number of people and a lot more cars and bikes.”
CEO and founder of OnRoad Driving School, Ronak Shah, who provided eight cars and instructors, said he was very pleased to be part of the day again, and had looked forward to building on last year’s event, “We wanted to see how a manual would work this year. Surprisingly the drivers who tried it were very comfortable.”
A more challenging manual driving experience was not the only change to the 2015 line up. There were also a greater variety of V8 hot rods that vision impaired people and their families could take a ride in, including a Ford Mercury, a Chevy Camaro, and my favourite, a pre-world war two model Ford Coup. “The hot rods are great for families,” said Kayleen, “It gives them a chance to do something together.”
"The joy on people’s faces is the best thing,” added Lisa Matley, another returning volunteer. And with the day being heralded as such a success, there is already anticipation for next year’s event, from both vision impaired drivers and volunteers alike.
“I was part of one of their first experiences,” reflects Lisa, “If we could do this every weekend, we would love it,”
For their support in making this day possible, thanks go to:
- OnRoad Driving School
- IGA
- Coates Hire
- Sydney Motorsports Park
- CBM printing
- The American Motorcycle Clubs
- Huyabusa Motorcycle Club
- Busways
- Participating Hot Rod Clubs including:
Australian Street Rod Federation – underwrote insurance
Blue Mountains Hot Rods
Older Timers Hot Rods
Revolution Hot Rods