Need for Speed: Ben Felten and Kevin Magee worked together to make Ben the fastest blind person on a motorcycle.
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Community Living and Respite Services (CLRS) and We Are Vivid are co-hosting a fundraising dinner with Ben Felten, the world’s fastest blind man on a motorcycle and his navigator, former MotoGP rider Kevin Magee.
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“I achieved the world record with Kevin on March 18, 2018,” Ben said.
“We competed at Speed Week, an annual Lake Gairdner, South Australia event.
“That is on salt flats, and they have an event each year with the fastest cars, bikes, trucks, you name it, turning up there for a week and trying to set speed records.”
Ben’s record is 266.7 kilometres per hour.
“I use an analogue radio with earpieces, and Kevin has a microphone in his helmet and a radio,” Ben said.
“So, Kevin is riding behind me on his motorcycle, and he gives me navigational commands like left, right and go, go, go.
“We are racing against the clock over each mile, so it is the fastest mile.
“While we are going down the track, Kevin will let me know when we have passed the one-mile flag, two, three, four and so on.
“We will have a plan for the distance we ride when I should slow down, and other such things.”
Ben will talk about going blind and the grief and trauma he experienced going through a major life traumatic situation.
Ben also talks about his work as the founder of ‘Insight of Dreams’, a charity that inspires and mentors people who have acquired a traumatic disability.
He runs blind speed track days and motorsport experiences for people with disabilities who can no longer drive.
Ability: Ben Felten can do anything, including being the fastest blind person on a motorbike.
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Ben’s navigator, Kevin Magee, is a former MotoGP and World Superbike rider, having had an extensive career racing for Yamaha and Suzuki.
“People have many questions about Kevin’s Moto GP career,” Ben said.
“We talk about our land speed record and what inspired me to do that.
“We have some very exclusive GoPro footage that will be shown on the night, onboard footage.”
Proceeds from the event will support CLRS and Vivid’s fundraising efforts to ensure people with disabilities have access to essential programs and services to help them live their chosen lives.
Speedweek: Each year, Kevin Magee and Ben Felten come together on Lake Gairdner, South Australia to try and be the fastest.
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CLRS and Vivid would like to thank the event supporters: Rich River Golf Club, Riverine Herald, 102.5 Edge FM, Echuca Toyota and Highside Motorcycles Echuca.
The night will be hosted by Tiffanee Cook, Roll With The Punches podcast producer and host.
Blind Speed with Ben Felten and Kevin Magee is at Rich River Golf Club on Friday, June 14, 2024.
