Toowoomba RSL to race in Warwick with Young Veterans to raise money for rare cancer research

A 1986 Ford Laser dubbed The Flying Pineapple will hit the track this weekend with Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch racing to raise funds to support Rare Cancer Foundation.

Simon Thompson, Sheldon Rogers, Geoff Hoopers, Lachlan Finn, Chris Kirk, David Stark and Scott May with The Flying Pineapple.

It might not be the fastest car around the track but for the Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch, a 1986 Ford Laser will be their chariot for a two-day motor race to raise funds for the Rare Cancer Foundation.

A team of 15 veterans have been meeting every Thursday night for months, finetuning their car dubbed The Flying Pineapple and practising on a driving simulator.

This weekend Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch with Young Veterans will hit the Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick for a fundraising event that will see the team race to complete the most laps within 20 hours.

Sub branch president Scott May said the event would see teams focus on reliability and consistency rather than speed.

The Flying Pineapple in action on the track.

Mr May said the social connections made among veterans at these Garage Nights – and across the upcoming race weekend – were more important than any podium finish.

“This is very much a welfare initiative of the Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch to get veterans out of the house and participating in a sport that will connect them with other veterans in their community,” he said.

“RSL Queensland’s reason for existence is to support fellow veterans in transitioning from the military and achieving a positive quality of life. This race team is just one way that we are doing that at the Toowoomba Sub Branch.”

When team members aren’t racing, they form the pit crew that keeps the car running.

“That’s when the teamwork mentality indoctrinated in Defence really comes to forefront,” Mr May said.

“By the end of the event we’re doing tyre changes in four minutes and driver changes in 30 seconds.

“There is no experience necessary to take part and our focus is not on winning, but on participating.

“I’ve never seen anyone get out of our car without a huge grin on their face.”

All money raised at the Motor Event Racing endurance event supports the Rare Cancer Foundation.

Mr May encouraged any local veteran looking to meet new mates, enjoy a free barbecue or tinker with the car to come along to a Garage Night held at the Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch from 5pm every Thursday.