Rajagopal creates record in reverse driving

BUTTERWORTH: A businessman today created a name for himself in the Malaysia Book of Records by driving a car for a distance of 1,010 kilometres in reverse mode.

I.Rajagopal,56, from Masai, Johor, drove his Chevrolet Optra car in reverse mode from Segamat to Kedah before driving it in the same manner to Butterworth, completing the journey in six days.

Having trained himself in reverse driving for the past five years, hearrived in the compound of Megamall Perai here at about 6.30pm. Rajagopal said two years ago he drove in a similar manner for a distance of 88 kilometres from Johor Bahru until Pulai Beach Resort, Desaru.

"There has never been anybody in Malaysia who has driven in reverse manner and I wanted to create history in the MBOR to be the first person to have done so. "Even for the world record, the holder has only done reverse driving for 28 kilometres in a stadium. I hope my feat has surpassed the current world record," he told reporters here.

Rajagopal, who arrived accompanied by a convoi of four cars and the police, was received by MIC Youth leader T. Mohan and Oliver Putra Motorsport Jay Bee Club chairman Sa'dun Safihe.

Throughout the distance, he reverse drove at a speed of between 40 and 60 kilometres per hour assisted only by looking at the rear-view mirror.