The Mission Motorsport Invitational
With an army of volunteers and sponsorship from Thakeham Homes, every year Mission Motorsport hosts beneficiaries, veterans, serving men and women including those wounded, injured or sick (WIS) and their families to a fantastic day of recovery sport.
A highlight in the Mission Motorsport events calender, the annual event is an opportunity for those who have been affected by their service to enjoy a day of great company and of course, great cars at the historic Goodwood Race Track.
With high-speed, thrilling rides in cars normally inaccessible to most, the day is centered around the well being of beneficiaries. It’s not the cars that matter, it’s the people. The invitational has an important role for those on a journey of recovery. For some, it’s about giving them the confidence to get back out and about and engaging with people, for others, it’s a fantastic networking opportunity to meet with potential employers and make connections with key personalities from the automotive industry.
The 9th Mission Motorsport Invitational
Hitting the tarmac of the iconic Goodwood Race Track with the sun shining and not a cloud in sight, Mission Motorsport hosted its 9th Mission Motorsport Invitational on Monday the 6th of September. With invites extended to the wider military community including 16 Regt RA, Dems Trg Regt and beneficiaries from other service charities over 124 Veterans, Serving Personnel and their families enjoyed passenger rides, an autotest, and the chance to drive the dual control Mazda MX-5.
With an eclectic mix of over 50 different cars ranging from a 1904 Oldsmobile to the latest Toyota Supra GR, there were plenty of happy, smiling people as people enjoyed some high-speed passenger laps around the track. For those wanting to experience something a little less speedy, road trips around the estate were available as well as the chance to get behind the wheel and test their driving skills in the autotest and dual-control set up.
“For someone that absolutely lives and breathes Motorsport, you have provided me with memories I will own for life (the cars, sounds and smells!) and I am forever grateful.”
For some like Louise, a former soldier in the RAMC & Royal Signals, whose medical condition led to her driving license being taken away, it was the first time in 9 years that she was able to get behind the wheel of a car. Driving the dual control Mazda MX-5 and completing the autotest in a BMW Mini, she said, "Today has been a really good day and I feel normal for the first time in a long time. For a short while I felt free and that my disability didn’t matter. Having not driven for nine years, it was amazing to be behind the wheel once more and felt like I had never been stopped from driving. Thank you Mission Motorsport for giving me the chance to enjoy driving again - something I thought I would never be able to experience again. Today has been absolutely amazing and it has made my year!”
Collaboration
With the well-being of beneficiaries at the forefront of our minds, it was fantastic to welcome team members from Op Courage along. The team was a welcome addition to the day, with some beneficiaries feeling comfortable enough to open up and engage, whilst Op Courage staff made the most of the day talking to many veterans sharing and highlighting the support available. Jon Giemza-Pipe, Veteran Peer Support Worker said, “The Mission Motorsport Invitational is a great opportunity to chat with fellow veterans and their families about the benefits of addressing their mental health and where they could go to get help doing so. It’s been fantastic to have the opportunity to talk to the wider military and veteran community.”
Thank You
The Invitational is only possible thanks to the generosity of others. From those who sponsor the day, to drivers using their own cars to give beneficiaries passenger laps and volunteers who give up their time to help support the Mission Motorsport team in delivering days such as these, the charity is incredibly humbled, grateful and thankful. The support from each and everyone is greatly appreciated.
