A blind departing from a rally

Luc Costermans a commercial executive in one of the world leaders in agro-food business, lost his sight in February 2004. After a period of moral and physical reconstruction ,he redrew the outline of his existence and defined new aims. More precisely he created the association "The Blind and their funny machines" A real enthusiast for motor sports, he will sit behind a steering wheel, a joystick , a handlebar or the tiller of a powerful motorboat of more 550 HP (horse power) THE HONOR LIST OF LUC ( a blind pilot) 2006 : Tour de France by air in a Robin DR 400 of 180 HP 2 records with his copilot Jean Andrieu 2007 : Speed world record in a quad ( 93 km/h) Copilot Francis Blum 2008 : Speed world record in a Lamborghini Gallardo ( 308,780 km/h) co pilot Guillaume Roman. 2009 : A first, Luc alone at the steering wheel for more than a hundred tour drive on the circuit of Ledenon (Nîmes) Copilot : virtual 2009 : A tour of Corsica by boat .3 records. Copilot Mario Porcel. THE ENGAGEMENTS 2007 : Piloting a Midget on the circuit of Alès. ( 30) Copilot Quentin Binzac 2009 : Piloting a Lamborghini on the airport runway of Propriano. Copilot Manu Damiani 2010 :Piloting the Tesla ( an electric vehicle of 230 HP) on the circuit of Ledenon ( 30 ). Copilot Guillaume Roman. 2011 : Piloting a petrol Fun Cup on the circuit of Castelet ( 83 ). Copilot Guillaume Roman. 2011 : Piloting a Megane RS on the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). Copilot David Baratucci. 2011: Piloting a diesel Fun Cup as a curtain raiser of the Fun Cup at Spa Francorchamps .Copilot David Baratucci. 2012 : Piloting a Mégane RS again on the circuit of Spa Francorchamps.Copilot David Baratucci 2013 : Piloting a Mégane RS of 265 HP on the circuit of Laquais ( 38 ). Copilot Yanic Girault Aware of the world of handicap Guillaume is a first class partner who has committed himself to the side of Luc without hesitation. An excellent instructor, he passes on his knowledge to the other copilots willing to help Luc, as he did recently with his friend Daniel Elena, a famous copilot crowned with ten titles of rally world champion who declared after the test, "I had a very hard time when copiloting Luc, having myself driven blind folded with Guillaume, I had lost my marks. Luc has a lot of merit". "Luc Costermans and his friends open our eyes with their courageous action . All my best wishes of success for your undertakings. See you in Alsace" . Ari Vatanen "The challenges and the ways taken by Luc Costermans are higher and higher. Well done and thank you to the FFSA for permitting Luc to take part in the Rally of Alsace, and to show us his will and determination in this trial. Best wishes" Yannick Dalmas "Well done Luc and Guillaume for this fantastic experience in one of the great Motor Sport event of the year" Soheil Ayari "Passion is always right...I cheer your audacity, Luc, for the extraordinary experiment that you are going to attempt by taking part in the Shakedown of the Alsace Rally 2013 with the help of your copilot Guillaume Roman! This world premiere in the Motor Sport will help bring closer the people with and those without a handicap...Congratulations !" Philippe Streiff Without hesitation , Luc has dedicated himself to the good cause and created the chain of handicap. Actually, at the request of the parents of Remi ,a dumb little boy, he made a ten round drive in Ales in the Midjet, to raise funds to help Remi continue his school course. A première : a blind man driving a racing car on a circuit at a record speed and consequently a successful fund raising. GUILLAUME'S PRIZE LIST Guillaume Roman is a pilot specialized in endurance run with a quick intelligence of racing. He started an official program in Germany with Peugeot in 2011, winning three second places in the category diesel in VLN. The following year Guillaume impressed everybody with the superb victory in his category, diving a petrol RCZ in the Nurburgring 24 hours. 2012 : Victory in the Peugeot RCZ Number 100 in the Nurburgring 24 hours, in the category SP2T , in the 38th general position . 3 races and 3 second places in VLN in that year. 2011 : 3 races and 3 podiums in VLN with the team Peugeot RCZ Nokia. 2008 : Copilot of Luc Costermanst , a blind pilot world speed record man at 308 km/h. 2005-2010 : Numerous podiums and victories in various categories on a national level : Peugeot sport meeting, Fun Cup, Clio Cup, Race Car Sery, Midget 1300. 1993 : 3rd in France Junior Championship Renault Clio. 1992-1993 : kart 125 cm3, 2nd au GP de France ( Val de Vienne), champion Paca ligue, 1st French winner in the Mento-Monaco Grand Prix. " I haven't had the chance yet to meet Luc, but I had the opportunity to speak to him over the phone and to see pictures and articles about his exploits. His corpulence reminds me of Etienne Chappas, a blind friend of mine, one legged from war who had been my osteopath during all my carrier of pilot. But this is not the only resemblance, I perceive in Luc the same courage, the same motivation, the same pugnacity ,the same proselytism, the same rage of living a passion. Such men are examples for our generations so fragile and without reference points in life" Guy Frequelin " He is afraid of nothing, neither boat, nor plane, nor car of course. He spends his time and his energy to manage his club and his blind friends, which encourages us to help him realize his plans a little crazy for us people who can see, but that he masters completely. So I am sure that his new Challenge on the shakedown of the Rally of France will allow him to achieve a new record and show that in spite of his handicap the man is not afraid of challenge. My best wishes for your success, Jean-Pierre Nicolas "Thank you for this unforgettable moment, I support you in all your challenges. I'll be with you in spirit for your new challenge in the Rally of France. Thank you again for making me discover your universe, and only one word : Respect. I am ready to take up the challenge that you are offering me, Friendly yours. " Daniel Elena "We have had the opportunity to talk over the phone but I don't really know you ; however your undertaking requires a very strong motivation, determination and perseverance which deserve a great respect. Nothing is impossible for those who really desire it, and you represent a wonderful example for us all. I wish you a lot of success and the realization of your must foolhardy projects : life is worth it" Michèle Mouton The association " The Blind and their funny machines" in which Guillaume and Luc take part, gives the opportunity to blind people to surpass themselves through motor sport. In France and in Belgium the association offers them training courses in driving schools, quads, motor boats, sea scooters , as well as paragliding . Sponsored by famous sportsmen like Ari Vatanen, Jean Pierre Nicolas, et Soheil Ayari they are also supported by comedians such as Lea Drucker, Edouard Baer, and the Belgian humorist Alex Vizorek. Many thanks to Elvira Bondurand, David Serieys from the FFSA, and also Xavier Luquet-Maire without forgetting Thierry Sagnard for the road coaching and Ferry Colonna-Cesari for the model of the Shakedown.