V8 UTES driver Stephen White – or ‘White dog’ as he is more affectionately known – hasn’t walked an easy path towards the top of the Australian racing car landscape.
White opened up about his life-long battle with hearing loss with an aim to inspire children with similar conditions at a special session at Sandown Racecourse on Friday.
The former Holden Racing Team Young Lions pupil has become an ambassador for Deaf Children Australia and invited a group of deaf children and their families to attend the Wilson Security Sandown 500 on Friday as part of the V8 Supercars Students on Track program.
The program will see 20 children with hearing loss experience a backstage glimpse at Australia’s leading motorsport category and also have a special meet and greet with White.
White hopes that by talking about his experiences as a child he will inspire other children to follow their dreams.
“All through school I battled – hardly any of my friends knew I couldn’t hear in my left ear and until recently many of my friends today didn’t know I suffered hearing loss,” White said.
“By sharing my journey I hope I encourage children and young adults to not let their conditions limit them, but follow their dreams.”
Deaf Children Australia CEO Damian Lacey said the trackside experience was a great opportunity for the organisation’s clients and families.
“This experience is really about showing children who are deaf or hard of hearing that they can follow their dreams and Stephen is a great inspiration,” Lacey said.
“It is a hands on and motivational experience and unique opportunity for everyone involved.”
White met the 20 children from Deaf Children Australia and toured them around the course and on a behind-the-scenes tour of his garage and V8 racing Utes.
The Wilson Security Sandown 500 begins the long-distance season of V8 Supercars which also includes the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600. The events combined form the Pirtek Enduro Cup awarded to the most successful long-distance driving combination.
