04/07/2026
Well, it has arrived again Sunday July 5th Sandown Racecourse.
Why is this so important. It is another year of In the Drivers Seat - Sandown - With thanks to District Lions Club where we get to take Visually Impaired People out with them in the driver's seat.
This is an interesting day for us because when you look at the whole picture, you really have to break it down to see it from all angles.
The angle of the VIP. Limited to no vision, legally blind (I think is the correct term these days, but if not, I will keep terms simple). They may have been affected short term or long term, some from birth. They sit in the driver's seat, and we direct them around Sandown Racetrack. For me I like to use my voice more so they get the real excitement of them driving, think about the independence right there considering the help they may need day to day. The laughs we have, the smiles at the end of it all makes it worthwhile for them and some satisfaction to us.
The interaction, the meeting of new people, sometimes its not about their vision its their mental health as well.
The Lion's Club. These amazing volunteers get together every year and organise this for the VIPs. It costs them to put on such an event which is entirely free to those who fit the criteria and wish to participate. We see Lion's Clubs all around our areas and some people do not see what they do outside of the main events that take place in their own area. I think there is usually about 12 Lion's Club Districts put this show on the road each year. Hats off to you all.
Then there is the "Hot Laps" in a race car and rides on the motorbikes, who also volunteer their cars, time and running costs to take passengers out in some quite unique vehicle. I am sure they could tell a few stories about various rides.
For me, as an instructor, it gives me the time to brush up on some skills I may let slide occasionally when I am instructing on the road. It is time to reflect on the way I give instructions and how I can make them as clear as possible because II want people to get the full experience with very limited help.
There is also the time to reflect on such a negative and untrusting world we live today, and how these VIP's bring that trust and respect back to reality.
Think about this. You are legally blind and cannot see. You are introduced to someone and within a few seconds you need to make a connection. The connection of trust. You very briefly get each other's stories in around 60 seconds as you walk to the car. Remember you have never met this person before.
You climb in the car, they give you a brief rundown on what you'll need for the day, and they are getting into the passenger's seat to guide you.
They direct and in the tight areas need to assist getting you out onto the track, telling you about everything that is happening around you that any other person takes for granted.
Once you hit the track, you are driving, they are sitting next to you telling you about everything you cannot see, when to brake, when to turn, how much to turn, when to accelerate, what you will feel through the car (yes, I use the ripple strips a lot, that's another reason I love Sandown).
If you know the track it is fine but remember you are visually impaired now. A lap starts off like:
You head into turn 1 at up to 100 kilometers per hour, and you tell your VIP that there is a left turn coming up as you approach, you tell them, you want them to brake and count down 3,2,1 brake, wash your speed off good, and now we will turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the left or 9 o'clock.
Then you need to tell them to come off the brake, roll through the corner and as we straighten the wheel now, we will accelerate a little down a short straight, we then head into turn 2, turn 3 and turn 4 complexes. Lots of talking, lots of ripple strips, and lots of directions.
Now think, back straight, that isn't straight, Dandenong Road corners and work your way back to the main straight, where you continue the next lap, until the session ends.
Now going back to that trust thing. Think how much trust you would have in a person if YOU were visually impaired.
I give the VIP's the utmost respect for the amount of trust they need to put into the likes of us, who they do not know and take them out "for a spin."
Thank you to everyone involved today and thank you for our opportunity to give back to the community in what I think is such an important program that needs to continue.
To everyone today at the track, have a safe and fun day.
