Blind Judges Choice

Los Angeles: Blind children judge a special “VIP” Award (Visually Impaired Person) strictly by touch at the LAPD “Cops for Tots” car show.

“The winner was very unpredictable. The kids judged the vehicles strictly by feel, they were not impressed by expensive paint jobs or extensive chrome,” said Devonshire Police Officer Sean Reinhardt, who created the LAPD Racing VIP Award. Officer Reinhardt’s blind adopted son, Shain, was one of the judges.

The third annual “VIP” trophy was awarded at the Cops for Tots car show held at the LAPD Elysian Park Academy on October 28, 2007. The car show is a community event attended by thousands of car lovers.

The panel of judges consisted of youngsters from the Junior Blind of America Foundation and range in age from 10 to 18 years. A fond thank you to the show’s organizers, the Devonshire Explorers, and the gracious car owners who allowed the kids to touch their personal “Pride and Joy.”

The 2007 VIP Award winner was Darryl Roth with his wild Corvair powered trike. The trike is a tribute to Darryl’s famous father “Big Daddy” Ed Roth, an icon of the “Kar Kulture” and creator of the “Rat Fink” character.

LAPD Racing displayed their LAPD Police Car/Race Car. The car is part of the “GOT-YA!” (Get On Track-Youth Alternatives) program, which provides legal alternatives to illegal street racing.

For more information about the award, contact Officer Sean Reinhardt at 818-885-6108.