Blind navigators lead the way at Regularity Rally race in Honeydew
Some blind navigators and sighted drivers are used to such races but others competed for the first time.
The blind led the sighted during an epic but safe car race from Honeydew to Magaliesburg and back.
The 160km event on April 23 was hosted by The Blind Navigator Rally Club, which is affiliated with the South African Regularity Rally Association. A regularity rally requires teams to meet specific speed and direction changes, only drive on certain roads and reach checkpoints between timeframes, not before or after.
Teams also started a few minutes apart, and their times were recorded so that the first car to cross the line was not necessarily the fastest. So all in all the event focussed on safety rather than speed. This was outlined by the association’s Gary Berndt during the briefing before the race.
“Please be aware of potholes, speed bumps and traffic noted on the route schedule,” he said, referring to the notes navigators were given in Braille. “Let your drivers know about them. There will be a rest stop before we turn around and come back. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable drive.”
In all, there were six teams of sighted drivers and blind navigators and a separate race category of eight teams of both sighted drivers and navigators. They drove normal vehicles except for one vehicle that was adapted for a wheelchair.
“We have been doing this together since 2006,” said Patrick Mills of his blind navigator, Jessica Grib, before the start. “It is easier for us because we have been doing it so long but it still gives us a challenge.” Grib agreed, saying this specific race would have tricky speed changes.
Linda Mentoor had been a blind navigator for five years before taking a break and starting again. Her sighted driver Heather Hingle was participaing in her first race.
“I am excited and nervous. I just do not want to get lost,” Hingle said. Mootoor added, “I like it when all the obstacles are listed and we can navigate them so we are back on time. I am a bit nervous doing this after a break but I look forward to it.”
Various prizes and team entries were sponsored by Lions Club Northcliff, Craft Up, Coal Café and other local businesses. Prizes were for top finishers as well as a raffle.
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