Injured soldiers from across the UK descended on Donington Park today(21) for some high-octane manoeuvres.
The Injured Troops Track Day was an event aimed at putting the smiles back on the faces of these men, who are recovering from both physical and mental injuries sustained in the theatre of war. Robin Johnson reports.
AFTER his experiences in Afghanistan, it would be fair to say that Colour Sergeant Alan Dennis is no stranger to situations that get the adrenaline pumping.
In his career spanning almost 20 years with the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), the 40-year-old has seen more than his fair share of action.
For him, Army life provides the comfort of disciplined routine and the camaraderie of his mates.
When that is taken away, some ex-service personnel struggle to fill the void left behind.
The re-adjustment to civilian life can be hard - doubly so if you are an injured veteran.
On September 22, Col Sgt Dennis will be medically discharged from the Army.
He describes the prospect of trying to fit into civvie street as "terrifying".
But salvation could lie in one of his passions - motor sport.
It is one of the few sports that has the capacity to give soldiers like Col Sgt Dennis the adrenaline hit they crave after being on the front line.
And that is why, the Injured Troops Track Day took place at Donington Park racetrack.
Organised by Mission Motorsport, in conjunction with Motorsport Endeavour, the aim of the event was to help these injured troops get their confidence back - while at the same time kick back and take out any frustrations they have on the sweeping curves of Donington.
Mission Motorsport is the official Forces motorsport charity, backed by Help for Heroes.
It helps people like Col Sgt Dennis, who have been injured in "theatre", by providing motorsport as a "recovery activity".
It was clear by looking down the pit lane yesterday that it is highly effective.
Around 50 injured soldiers from all over the UK, some of them still serving, some of them veterans, were there laughing, joking, chatting, as if they were back in their billet, somewhere in Helmand Province.
Occasionally, they would break off to coo at the glittering array of hardware Donington had provided for them to drive around the circuit, from including Porsche and Masarati sports cars, nippy Fiat Abarth 500s and rapid Caterhams and Mazdas.
Col Sgt Dennis, who lives just a couple of miles from Donington in Melbourne, has his fair share of scars - both physical and mental.
He twice survived Taliban attacks in Afghanistan.
In 2007, he was thrown 30ft after his Land Rover set off a mine in Helmand Province.
He suffered a broken leg and the blast killed his Derbyshire comrade, Thomas Wright, sitting beside him.
Then in 2009 Col Sgt Dennis was blown off his feet again, this time by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Undeterred by what he thought was a broken arm, and under a hail of bullets, he grabbed his rifle and returned fire until his men were safe.
His bravery resulted in him being awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross at Buckingham Palace from the Prince of Wales, an honour with is just short of the Victoria Cross.
Now, he is preparing for life after the armed forces.
Col Sgt Dennis said: "To be honest, it's terrifying to think I will be leaving the Army. For almost 20 years this has been my way of life. It's all I have known. We have a different language, we have a great camaraderie.
"Making the adjustment to civilian life is an incredibly difficult thing to get my head around. It's completely different.
"Re-adjusting is a nightmare. I can appreciate how some lads can go off the rails once they leave. We need to find something that can match up to what we've been used to."
Motor sport could be the thing to fill that void.
Mission Motorsport's work not only involves staging events like yesterday but finding injured soldiers jobs in the sector through a scheme designed to help ex-service personnel back into civilian work.
Last year, 51 troops were found job placements in the industry - known as a Defence Recovery Placements.
Seven of those went on to secure full-time positions in the motorsport sector.
This year, Col Sgt Dennis is one of those soldiers who has been found a job placement - and it is right on his doorstep, at Donington.
Last month, it was revealed that Donington Park was going to be the headquarters for Forumla E - a new racing series which will see electric powered single-seater cars compete all over the globe.
Donington will also be the home of the 10 teams taking part in the championship, which starts in September.
The buildings are currently being constructed and the teams will start moving in by the end of April.
The Formula E headquarters will be filled with admin and logistics staff - and among them will be Col Sgt Dennis.
He said: "When Mission Motorsport told me that they had got this placement with Formula E I was really excited - and nervous at the same time.
"I've always loved motor sport - but never really understood what went into it, so I suppose that's why I'm a little nervous because I don't know what to expect. But I'm a keen learner and will try to do my best.
"I suppose it's all down confidence - which is very much what events like the Injured Troops Track Day is all about.
"When you sustain some kind of serious injury can knock your confidence. Getting it back does not happen overnight."
"But motor sport helps. You only have to see the faces of the other guys to see what a difference it can make. It's great to be among them again because we understand one another."
Among them was Lance Corporal Ben Cheal, 26, from the 6th Battalion Royal Engineers.
He sustained shrapnel wounds to his right leg from a suicide bomber and has since being going through rehabilitation.
He said: "Rehabilitation can be a long and arduous process. The track day was just the thing we needed. Driving these cars fast around the circuit has put the smiles back on our faces.
"The experience has given me a real taste for more."
Adam Marchant-Wincott, relationship manager at Mission Motorsport, said: "Motor sport is a way of helping these guys recover, to get their confidence back and to be amongst their own again.
"But we also hope these events open their eyes to possibility of careers after serving in the armed forces.
"Soldiers that have previously engaged with Mission Motorsport are now employed in F1, World Endurance racing and major manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover.
"What these employers are getting are people who may not necessarily have the initial specialist skills - but they have a great capacity to learn and are team players."
