If there’s one thing I urge everyone who’s into cars to do, it’s to really experience driving in a safe, closed environment. Of course, not everyone is able to hit up their closest local trackday, and I’m not talking about economic constraints. Vision is one of the most important things to focus on out on track, but what if you’re blind? Well, you’ll want to grab yourself a helmet and head on up to Granby, Quebec for the next Défi-Vision race.
That’s right, for one night each year, Autodrome Granby plays host to one of the coolest racing events for a good cause anywhere in the world. Officially called Défi-Vision MIRA, it’s a 12-lap oval race that raises money for charity. The Mira Foundation trains guide dogs and provides them free of charge to individuals living with visual, physical, or auditory disabilities, as well as youth with autism. Good stuff, and it gets even better. Instead of the well-heeled gentleman racers you see participating in philanthropic car events, this flagship race puts blind and visually impaired enthusiasts behind the wheel.
Here’s how it works: Each blind driver gets paired with a sighted navigator. There’s a speed limit of 20 km/h (roughly 12 MPH), although the enforceability of that likely gets a bit challenging given how speedometers are generally visual devices. Each car is basically destined for the scrapheap, and the race concludes when the first car crosses the line after twelve successful laps. It all sounds like tremendous fun, and that’s before you account for any of the twists.
See, to keep people from pulling a Ross Chastain and riding the wall, organizers place blocker cars at intervals along the inner and outer barriers. If there’s a really big tangle-up, officials ride out in decommissioned cop cars and gently punt drivers so they’re pointed roughly straight again. Add it all up, and the end result is some of the most entertaining and heartfelt racing on the face of the Earth.
How does this year’s race only have about 400 views on YouTube? Actually, hold that thought because the action is about to start. The green flag drops and away we go! Okay, away some of the field goes. Understandably, reaction times vary, but that Ford Fusion really seems to be making a break for it.
Ah, okay, remember the blocker cars I mentioned earlier that seem to have been put in place to prevent any wall-rides? Just a few seconds after the flag-drop, the number 40 Ford Fusion absolutely drilled a parked Toyota Yaris. No matter, bumpers are consumables; just select reverse, back out, and away we go again.
Further back in the field, a Chrysler Sebring gets properly tangled up, ping-ponging off rivals, blockers, and walls alike before finding itself at a 45-degree angle to the racing direction. It’s alright, here come a couple of decommissioned Tauruses to sort things out. Bam!
How many racing events do you see safety cars get up on two wheels while helping sort out a directional issue? Far out. As you can see, the dirt surface already has some body parts and fluids scattered about, and the first lap isn’t even complete. The beauty of Défi-Vision Mira, though, is that you really can theoretically come from behind and win it all so long as you keep your nose clean.
Midway through the race, the pack’s properly separated and speeds really pick up. Look at that Pontiac Grand Am dragging some bumper, absolutely majestic. Never mind the fender liner it just ran over; that’s merely a bump in the road. At the same time, the number six Chevrolet Cruze is taking an early entry into turn one, but it looks like the Pontiac’s fast enough to slip through.
I’m not going to spoil the rest of the race for you, because it’s truly something you need to watch for yourself. Just pure awesomeness containing everything from an off-track excursion to suspension components that have just given up after a session of bashing.
Sure, entering the Défi-Vision race isn’t as cheap as attending a trackday or even joining a 24 Hours of LeMons team, but remember, it’s a charity event. This year’s entry fees were $2,500 per blind driver and $1,500 per sighted co-pilot, although a little bit of sponsorship goes a long way. However, it’s still fairly inexpensive as far as wheel-to-wheel racing goes, and the money’s donated to an excellent cause. With this year’s race marking 37 years of the event, don’t expect it to end anytime soon. Long may it run, one of the greatest motor races you’ve probably never heard of.
Top graphic image: YouTube/NASCAR Regional
That’s a new one!
Dry lake beds are famous for blind drivers, as there is enough room to avoid obstacles, especially for blind bikers that can rely on radio instructions.
Turns out Stevie Wonder was always a driving enthusiast. He jumped at the chance to drive alone in a commercial!
When Muscle Mustangs did a story on a female wheelchair user road racing a Mustang, I took some copies to relevant local hospitals like St Jude.
The Center For Independent Living pointed out that all those unable to walk, are by default car enthusiasts, as it is the most freedom they can experience!
Reminds me of the wonderful Peugeot ad featuring Ray Charles:
Publicité 1994 Peugeot 306 (Ray Charles)
We need to crowdfund an Autopian entrant in this next year!
This is a great idea!
That was entertaining.
Paused my workday to watch the whole thing, the auto translate audio was a bit behind the video so it was kind of weird; but pretty enjoyable racing.
I assume the Dodge Intrepid is in the rear because it blew it’s transmission immediately upon the start of the race.
Way to go to the person that kept that thing alive to 2026 though.
The bigger engine was pretty good.
This would be great if they ditched the speed limit.
I kinda think the speed limit is there because that may be the top speed for some of these cars…
Simply wonderful, thanks for sharing. my wife even enjoyed watching some of it.
This is simply fantastic. Anyone caught cheating should be forced to sit in a blocker car.
Strange, I clicked on the video and all I saw was rush hour traffic on the Met.
And Mira is a wonderful organisation here in Quebec.
My colleague adopted one of their dogs that “failed” for being way, way too excited, and possibly dumb as a rock. But very loveable.
I can’t see any of the links to the Youtubes.
(I’ll see myself out)
This is why I renew my membership. This is GOLD
When in Granby, they have one of the best kept Zoos I’ve been to.
And bring your trunks for the Amazoo lazy river!
Blocker car for a blind auto race is absolutely the best use of a Yaris.
safety car driving through a bunch of blind drivers – sounds like my daily commute.
My company has an office in Granby. I’d bet money some of my Quebecois colleagues were in the stands. I hope they sell beer at the track, because this event has drinking games written all over it. Good thing it’s on a Friday.
That’s just average driving in Quebec. Wait until the heat with the blind people starts.
For added Quebec flavor, insert a few potholes.
You had me at charity and guide dogs.
I freaked out a bit on first read-through, as that sounds horrific. Then I realized we’re talking about body parts and fluids from the cars, and I had a big sigh of relief.