Watch A Blind Drag Racer Run The Quarter-Mile In 11.5 Seconds

Quarter-mile times are a way of evaluating vehicle performance. It's also a test of driver skill. Some may argue that driving in a straight line is easy, but a seasoned drag racer knows quick reactions, perfect gear changes, and a solid launch technique are what you need to get a quick time, like the incredible run achieved by this Challenger SRT Super Stock. But what makes this run all the more impressive is the driver: he's 100% blind.

Despite his visual impairment, Sheldon loves speed and gets his kicks on the drag strip. The 2022 Super Stock below belongs to the keen driver, who says he waited over a year to get his 807 horsepower muscle car. Resplendent in Frostbite Blue, the enthusiast owner ticked the box for every option except the red leather interior.

This is the first time Sheldon has taken the Challenger SRT Super Stock on the track, where he hopes to achieve a 10.4-second run, he said to YouTube channel 1320video.

But before we get into that, let's look at the modifications done to this Challenger. Sheldon has fitted a Legmaker intake, a larger air filter, and a mid-muffler delete, which makes the supercharged V8 even louder than before. "It's gonna get modified in the future. It's gonna get headers, a new exhaust, and a 285 upper pulley." Sheldon says his goal is to cross the quarter-mile in the nine-second range, nearly as quick as the monstrous Demon 170.

This was a rather special occasion for Sheldon, as it was the first time he got to drive his menacing muscle car officially. With his friend by his side, Sheldon lets loose on the drag strip. On his first run, he takes it slow, setting an 18.5-second time.

Remember, he is visually impaired, so Sheldon has to take time to get used to the track and car. The second run is more successful and starts off with a spectacularly smokey burnout.

The Super Stock hurled down the raceway in a symphony of supercharger and V8 noise, Sheldon expertly piloted the vehicle towards the quarter-mile. Sheldon crossed the line in 11.517 seconds at a speed of 123.18 mph.

"That launch was violent," quips Sheldon after his rapid run. "I backed out just a little bit, it got kind of disorienting how hard the launch was, but once I got back in, it was a good one." He hopes that he can drop into the 10s next year, but for now, he can rest on his laurels. Sheldon hopes to become the world's fastest blind man and wants to reach 200 mph in his Challenger next year.

As an interesting side note, Forza's latest installment in the Motorsport series will allow visually impaired gearheads to join in on the driving fun. The game has a system called Blind Driving Assists, designed for those who are blind or have low vision. Using audible information, players will be able to race cars around racetracks and experience the thrill of driving.