6,000 spectators vs. usual 100
The Eye Rock 500 blind drivers' stock car race at Fonda Speedway drew 6,000 spectators, compared to the usual crowd of about 100 motorheads and mechanics.
Where this was said
Michael Corso: Blind at 12, Racing at 40
At 50:50 · chapter starts 40:51
Michael Corso was a hyperactive, adventurous kid who woke up totally blind on his 12th birthday due to retinoschisis. [1] — Michael Corso "Blind since age 12: Michael Corso was diagnosed with retinoschisis — a splitting of the retina — and woke up totally blind on his 12th birt…" 40:51 His first concern was whether he could still play with his friends — and within weeks, he was jumping garbage cans on a bicycle. Over the next decades, he learned to downhill ski, tandem race bicycles, and play golf. At 40, a friend called to tell him about the Eye Rock 500: a fundraiser stock car race for 14 blind drivers, organized by PIX 106 radio host Bob Wolf, to be held at Fonda Speedway. [2] — Michael Corso "PIX 106 radio host Bob Wolf organized the Eye Rock 500 — a stock car race for 14 blind drivers at Fonda Speedway. Usual attendance: 100 peo…" 45:20 Michael called in, was put live on air, and was signed up before he'd fully processed what he'd agreed to. Race day drew 6,000 spectators — sixty times the usual crowd. Michael drew car number 12, starting from the back row. He was down a lap before he even moved, watching cars 1, 2, and 3 complete their first circuit while everyone in front of him tried to figure out which direction was forward. Then he discovered the governor block — a piece of wood under the gas pedal — and kicked it out. [3] — Michael Corso "Every car in the Eye Rock 500 had a wooden block wedged under the gas pedal to keep speeds safe. Michael Corso found it, said something unp…" 52:20 With his sighted navigator Jake calling directions, Michael reached speeds he estimated at 40 mph (Jake told him later it was 100). He passed the leaders in the final lap. Jake yelled 'You won!' Michael jammed the brakes, stepped out of the car, and heard the crowd roar. Then another car drove past him. He had stopped 50 feet short of the actual checkered flag. [4] — Michael Corso "Michael Corso hit 100 mph, passed the lead cars, heard his navigator yell 'You won!', jammed the brakes, stepped out, and listened to the c…" 56:05 He got back in, drove the 50 feet, shut the engine, and put his head on the wheel. After a second or two, he realized: this was still the most fun he'd ever had. He was telling the story exactly 20 years to the day after the race. Months later, Michael passed away — but not before telling Jodi Powell that the crowd wanted more, and he just had to give it to them.
Blind since age 12
Michael Corso was diagnosed with retinoschisis — a splitting of the retina — and woke up totally blind on his 12th birthday.
The Eye Rock 500
PIX 106 radio host Bob Wolf organized the Eye Rock 500 — a stock car race for 14 blind drivers at Fonda Speedway. Usual attendance: 100 people. Race day attendance: 6,000. Michael Corso called in, was put live on air, and was signed up before he could think too hard about what he'd agreed to.
Kicking Out the Governor
Every car in the Eye Rock 500 had a wooden block wedged under the gas pedal to keep speeds safe. Michael Corso found it, said something unprintable, and kicked it out. Then he put the car in neutral, revved the engine, and told his sighted navigator: just tell me where to go.
Governor block kicked out
Michael Corso, a blind stock car racer, discovered his car had a wooden block under the gas pedal to limit speed and kicked it out, eventually reaching 100 mph in what was meant to be a slow fundraiser race.
50 Feet Short of the Flag
Michael Corso hit 100 mph, passed the lead cars, heard his navigator yell 'You won!', jammed the brakes, stepped out, and listened to the crowd roar. Then a car drove past him. He had stopped 50 feet short of the actual checkered flag. He got back in, drove forward, and put his head on the steering wheel.
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