04/10/2021
Vision Sports Ireland Showcases Motorsport Ambition with Zero Limits Track Day
Kicking off European Week of Sport, the first Vision Sports’ Zero Limits Track Day was held on Thursday September 23rd at Mondello Park in association with Motorsport Ireland, Sport Ireland and the events corporate partner Windsor Motors.
It was a day to remember whereby 35 blind and vision impaired participants had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of red-hot dual control cars to take on the Mondello Park circuit. Participant Megan Rooney, 18, expressed her excitement, ”It was brilliant to have the opportunity to do this. I’ve always had such a big interest in cars and my biggest dream was to drive and thanks to Vision Sports Ireland today, my dreams came true”. After an exhilarating morning, the participants kicked it up a gear in the afternoon becoming rally co-drivers alongside some of Ireland’s finest rally drivers in 10 top-spec rally cars, including a Mk II Escort, Fiesta R2 and R5 and an Evo X.
Vision Sports’ were also delighted to welcome record breaking, Irish rallying legend, 84 year old Rosemary Smith, to the event, Rosemary commented “I’ve been to Mondello many times over the years, but the enthusiasm and energy at Vision Sports’ Zero Limits Track Day was like nothing else I’ve experienced here before. The delight on the faces of the participants after the morning driving experience, followed by the excitement of getting into a rallycar was so special – it was an honour to get to get behind the wheel of the Renault Twingo and share this experience with them. I am an advocate for changing perceptions, chasing new experiences and doing what you love – and I’m thrilled that we got to share and make Motorsport accessible together today.” Rosemary has kindly pledged her support for the event and vows to be in attendance in future, “I was delighted to be invited – I think I had even more fun than the participants!”
Padraig Healy, National Sports Development Manager of Vision Sport Ireland commented “’Your Ambition, Our Mission’ is the mantra of Vision Sports Ireland. Supporting our members to experience the benefits of Sport and physical activity is what we work to achieve. The inaugural Zero Limits Track Day at Mondello Park certainly provided an experience of a lifetime for all involved and we are overwhelmed with the positive feedback from participants and volunteers who attended this unique driving experience day. We were delighted to host the event on the opening day of the European Week of Sport and to collaborate with our event partners”.
A spokesperson for the corporate event partner Windsor Motors stated “Windsor are so proud to support the NCBI and Vision Sports Ireland in hosting their inaugural Zero Limits Track Day in Mondello Park during the European Week of Sport. At Windsor, our ‘Drive happy’ ethos encourages the enjoyment of driving, and throughout the day we were inspired to see many smiles and excitement as participants experienced life behind the wheel of a car for the very first time. We are delighted to play a small part in helping those who are blind or vision impaired to get involved in sport, at any level.”
Plans are already gaining traction for Zero Limits 2022!
Vision Sports Ireland is the National Governing Body for sport and leisure activities for blind and vision impaired people in Ireland.
For more information and further images , check out www.visionsports.ie
Photo credit to Sport Ireland and Windsor Motors
