Deafblind man tops speed record

From: CBBC, UK - Aug 15, 2004

A deaf and blind man has broken the world speed record for riding a quad bike - which he set himself!

Graham Hicks smashed his own 104mph record on a custom built quad bike, by hitting a top speed of 133mph in front of 100 people in Lincolnshire.

He said: "It just goes to show that given the right support, people with disabilities can compete equally to set a Guinness world record."

Mr Hicks was given the 2004 Variety Award for Outstanding Courage.

He was helped in his ride by a passenger, Brian Sharman, who gave him steering directions through touch.

Mr Hicks also holds the record for the greatest distance travelled on a jetski within six hours, racing from Norfolk to Holland in June 2003.

© BBC 2004