Toyota Support for Race of Remembrance Helps Put Ex-service Personnel Back on Track
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Toyota was proud to support the Race of Remembrance at the weekend, supplying two GT86 race cars for the 1,000km event at the Anglesey circuit in North Wales. The meeting, the second organised by Mission Motorsport, brought together race enthusiasts, motorsport professionals and serving and a ex-service people in two days of track action, entertainment and a shared act of remembrance.
Shorsec Racing entered the Toyotas in the competition, providing racing opportunities for two drivers who have benefited from Mission Motorsport’s charitable work to provide service veterans with rehabilitation and training.
Team boss, ex-Royal Marine Chris Short, said: “”It’s a real privilege to have Toyota’s support for this hugely important event. The value of Mission Motorsport’s work in helping return ex-servicemen to civilian life can’t be underestimated.
“The challenge presented by motor racing is a great way of achieving that – and not just for those who are driving.”
Mike Courts, from Fife, who served with the Black Watch in Afghanistan, shared driving duties with Chris in the No22 GT86, a CS-V3 endurance racing-spec’ car built by Toyota Motorsport.
Mission Motorsport has helped Mike in his recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder and injuries he suffered in a bomb blast in 2009. He said: “In Mission Motorsport I found a family, the charity has made a massive difference to me. It can be difficult to realise when you’re struggling, but when you have someone from the charity, someone who you trust and support, telling you you might need help, you listen. These guys have picked me up.”
The driver line-up for the No23 Toyota, a former BritCar machine, featured Gary Dunning and Mission Motorsport Chairman Meryck Cox. Gary, from south east England, saw active service in Iraq with the Royal Logistics Corps, where his work included helping recover and repatriate bodies from the battlefield. He too is a strong advocate for the work being done by Mission Motorsport.
He said: “Before I found Mission Motorsport I struggled being around people. It was my wife that helped me find them. Through work, she knew (Mission Motorsport CEO) Jim Cameron who helped bring me out of the shadows. I suffer with PTSD. I still have bad days, but it’s nowhere near as bad as it used to be. Motorsport aside, the vocational training they provide is hugely important.”
With technical and logistical support from the Speedworks British Touring Car Championship team, the red poppy-liveried GT86s performed strongly, securing 10th and 12th grid places in qualifying. The No22 car led its class and the No23 Toyota held third in its class before separate incidents put an end to the team’s hopes of success.
Regardless of the results, the event succeeded in demonstrating the value of the opportunities provided by Mission Motorsport and its supporters.
