The Desire to Help Others

Race2Recovery was started when a fledging racing team of wounded soldiers were inspired to take up cross country racing and decided to raise money for the incredible service charities that have helped them during their recovery. Inspired by the work done at Row2Recovery the team asked to be part of the hugely successful effort to inspire other service personnel and the wider disabled or disadvantaged community through achieving incredible feats.

Tony Harris hopes to be the first amputee driver to compete in International Rally Raids and after his appearance on Top Gear this will soon become a reality. Tom Neathway, who was Tony’s co-driver on Top Gear, will be the first triple amputee to compete and will be co-driving with an experienced off-road racer, Dave Marsh. The team manager Andrew ‘Pav’ Taylor, who sustained back injuries in Afghanistan, organises the logistics of the team for the many events that they are planning to participate in.

Dave Reeve leads the mechanical crew, one of the non-military members of the team he struck up a strong relationship with the guys and after being inspired by their determination to succeed. With more than 20 years of both competing and fixing vehicles it was important that they team had his knowledge and experience before they embarked on this ambitious project. A further 4-6 wounded service personnel make up the vital mechanical team with some of them training to be co-drivers or drivers depending on their injuries.

The team has partnered with Qt Services to bring their exceptional understanding of endurance racing, a wealth of experience and the incredible Qt Wildcat DKR500.

Beyond Injury, Achieving the Extraordinary

Race2Recovery acknowledged the risks involved in off-road racing by not starting with the incredibly powerful Qt Wildcat; but by building their experience up quickly, efficiently and safely with a Freelander V6. The team have actively competed in the 2011 Britpart British Cross Country Championship (BCCC) Freelander class and Tom was in the main Britpart BCCC event co-driving for experienced driver, Greg MacCleod. Tom became a valued member of Greg’s team in a short time. Race2Recovery will compete in the 2012 Britpart BCCC Freelander challenge, hoping to further improve their performance.

With their first major sponsor, Orange Plant, the team have secured the “Orange Plant Wildcat” for Tom and Dave. Gordon Chapman commissioned it before he sadly passed away and it was always his dream to compete in the Dakar Rally, Race2Recovery will complete the journey for him and his family in 2013. Race2Recovery expect to have their second Qt Wildcat ready for the Tuareg Rallye in Mar 2012.

Race2Recovery’s goal is competing in and completing the hardest motor sport race in the world – The Dakar Rally Raid. In January 2013 the team will start the race in South America after 18 months of training and racing in the UK, Europe and North Africa.

The Dakar Rally Raid typically covers over 9,000km in 15 days through Argentina and Chile although every year the route is improved or changed. With typical speeds of between 70-120mph and up to 700km covered per day through some of the most arduous terrain on the planet the stress and strain on the driving team, vehicle and the mechanics is beyond comprehension. Our wounded soldiers hope that the teamwork, sense of humour and experience of sleep deprivation built up during their time in the military will give them an edge over the other more experienced teams in this event.

Why this Matters

Race2Recovery has aligned itself with Row2Recovery and has taken on board their key tenet, to run a campaign aimed at breaking down misconceptions about what life is like for an injured solider and their family. It will champion the extraordinary achievements of people with disabilities, and inspire others with life-altering injuries to realise their potential.

Some wounded service personnel can steadily fight back to a relatively normal life, but for others the injuries are too severe or the mental scars too deep. These wounds will not disappear when the surgery ends and fresh ones may emerge. Race2Recovery want to help all their brothers-in-arms for the future and give them the best opportunity to live with the dignity and respect they deserve. The facilities offered at Tedworth House align with this desire and by fundraising during the campaign the team hope to do their bit to actively support our brave heroes now and in the future.

All public donations to Race2Recovery will go directly to Tedworth House. Please support Race2Recovery’s incredible mission to help wounded servicemen and women go beyond injury and achieve the extraordinary.