When Randy Wiebe was told he would never get a driverB次元官网网址檚 licence, he knew that wouldnB次元官网网址檛 keep him from driving.

Being legally blind has stopped him from driving on public streets, but he has spent the past few decades ripping around Western Speedway racing in the demolition derby.

When it comes to driving, WiebeB次元官网网址檚 jokes: B次元官网网址淚 drive by braille, if I hit something I just steer the other way.B次元官网网址�

The first time he ever drove a car was at the speedway in a demo derby race.

B次元官网网址淚 was 18 and I was scared as hell,B次元官网网址� Wiebe said. B次元官网网址淚 lasted a lap and a half and then the car spun out and that was that, but I was hooked.B次元官网网址�

While his father was never too fond of WiebeB次元官网网址檚 passion for speed and destruction, he did get encouragement at home.

B次元官网网址淢y mom was supportive. I could hear her yelling from the stands when I was on the track,B次元官网网址� the driver remembers with a huge grin. B次元官网网址淭hat was the coolest thing ever.B次元官网网址�

Being blind doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean Wiebe is left fully in the dark, but he does have limitations.

B次元官网网址淚 see at 20 feet what normal people see at 200 feet,B次元官网网址� said Wiebe, who was born with the condition.

As heB次元官网网址檚 never had regular vision, itB次元官网网址檚 difficult for him to describe how he sees the world. However, his doctor explained that it would be akin to B次元官网网址渟omeone who spins around 20 times fast and then tries to focus on a clock.B次元官网网址�

After every race, his car does get more and banged up. But, after many years, Wiebe has only ever had minor injuries, including broken ribs and broken thumbs.

B次元官网网址淚 have never had a car fire, but I do wear a two-layer fire-proof suit,B次元官网网址� Wiebe said. B次元官网网址淭he suit gives you an extra 30 seconds in a fire. It doesnB次元官网网址檛 sound long, but when you are in a fire thatB次元官网网址檚 a long time.B次元官网网址�

Now at 50, Wiebe thinks it time to get out of the driverB次元官网网址檚 seat, but heB次元官网网址檒l never give up on his passion for cars.

B次元官网网址淥h God, I could quit smoking easier than I could quit racing,B次元官网网址� said Wiebe looking at his cigarettes on the table. B次元官网网址淭he body just doesnB次元官网网址檛 handle it as it used to.B次元官网网址�

Instead of driving in the demolition derby, heB次元官网网址檚 bought a boomer car and found a driver for it. It took Wiebe a year to transform the 1981 Camero into a boomer car. Wiebe oversees the crew in the pit on race nights. Boomer races are always held on the same night as demolition derby.

B次元官网网址淪ome people do drugs to get high, I race cars to get high, itB次元官网网址檚 such a rush,B次元官网网址� Wiebe said.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com

A speedway of opportunity

Randy Wiebe moved to Langford in 1967. He experienced his first car race at Western Speedway and knew at the ripe age of five, that he too, would drive race cars.

When he wasnB次元官网网址檛 watching cars at the track, he was at home playing with toy cars.

While heB次元官网网址檚 legally blind, he can see the races but, when the cars go towards the back stretch, it gets a bit tougher for him to see whatB次元官网网址檚 going on. He always brings binoculars with him to the track.

B次元官网网址淚 see kids come in the pit after the races looking to get autographs, I see myself doing that 45 years ago,B次元官网网址� Wiebe said.

HeB次元官网网址檚 been blind since birth and has never let it stop him from from anything heB次元官网网址檚 wanted to do.

B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 let it slow you down, everything is possible,B次元官网网址� Wiebe said. B次元官网网址淚 have never taken the easy way out, I have always had a job. I have nothing to complain about.B次元官网网址�

Over the years, Wiebe has earned more than 40 trophies, the last trophy he won was in September 2010.