TAKE THE WHEEL
Blind doctor records one of the fastest ever laps on Top Gear test track – despite not driving for six years
Dr Amit Patel navigated his way around the famous track with a lap fast enough to make the show's top 10 list
A BLIND driver has recorded one of the fastest ever laps completed on the famous Top Gear test track.
Dr Amit Patel hadn't been behind the wheel of a car since completely losing his sight six years ago.
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But he still managed to post an incredible lap time of one minute and 46.58 seconds, which would put him in the top 10 on the motoring show's Reasonably Fast Car leader board.
The former medic took to the Dunsfold Track in a Toyota GT86 alongside performance driving instructor Mark Watkins.
Using only Mark's instructions, Amit navigated the track at a blistering speed in the manual sports car.
Since 2017, Top Gear has used the GT86 for their celebrity laps at the Surrey circuit, replacing their Reasonably Priced Car segment.
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Dr Patel's time beat the likes of actor James McAvoy, rapper Tinie Tempah and comedian Dara O'Briain.
And while Amit won't be on the show's official top 10 list, his skills on the track are nothing short of impressive.
Before losing his sight, Dr Patel drove first-response vehicles for the NHS as a highly skilled driver in emergency situations.
His desire to get back behind the wheel was the perfect fit for Toyota’s 'Start Your Impossible' campaign, which encourages people to overcome their hurdles to mobility and personal achievement.
Dr Amit Patel said: “It’s been six years or so since I’ve been behind the wheel of a car, but it’s funny how things come back to you – the sound of the engine, the gear changes, the clutch and the brake.
"But then driving, and not knowing where you’re driving, that’s the insane part. I focused on the instructions, concentrating on what Mark was saying.
"I tend to forget that I can’t see, it was crazy just to think that I was actually doing this. Being on the test track, driving the GT86, it was a dream come true.
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“Blindness is always going to be in my life, but I don’t wake up in the morning and dwell on it, I just get on with it.
"I have a wonderful wife who helped me out when I needed it and gave me the motivation, and we have an amazing two-and-a-half-year-old son.
"In my head I can see a smile on his face and I’m hoping that he’s proud of what his dad’s achieved.”