The event was boosted by special guest Daniel Whittingham, aka Baz, who was part of the Race2Recovery team who completed this year’s Dakar rally.
Organiser Mark Birrell said it had been a good day: ‘Baz thoroughly enjoyed himself and was a great ambassador for the Race2Recovery team and ultimately Help for Heroes.
‘With a bit more notice, I’d like to get him back to Jersey next year with one of the Wildcat vehicles that was used in the actual Dakar Rally, so fingers crossed.’
Kerrie Dorrington of Driving for the Disabled took a couple of her clients, Scott Jehan and Marcus Stone, along to the event. She said: ‘Baz was fantastic, a top bloke. He showed my disabled students not to be limited by their disability but how they can achieve great things.
‘He took them around the track, giving them instruction as they went and gave them lots of confidence. With him being a young amputee as well as a highly skilled driver he appealed to our younger students.
‘He really boosted their confidence and showed that there are no limits to what they can achieve.’
Baz commented: ‘It was an awesome event and it was great to see so many people come down and show their support for the charity on such a sunny day. ‘I’d like to thank the guys from the Fire Service who made me so welcome and Jersey Land Rover for sponsoring the trip. ‘Part of the Race2Recovery mantra is to inspire disabled people and show them they can’t be limited in what they can achieve. I learnt something from Scott as well, as I took the Range Rover Sport around using his hand controls, which taught me what driving is like for him.’
Organiser Mark Birrell said he couldn’t run the event without the help of a lot of people and he thanked Dave Chevalier from Rosedale Garage, who helps out every year. Konrad Stefanski and Noel English from Jersey Land Rover, who sponsored Baz’s trip and provided vehicles for people to use on the day, Jason Hamon and his Normandy Rescue crew, Fred Barette for the track work and plant machinery, Mick Jehan, Beez Neez for the catering, the Constable of St John and the Jersey Motor Cycle and Light Car Club for the continued use of their track. He also thanked all the volunteers who give up their time to make it all run smoothly.
‘It is always good to see people using their vehicles for what they are intended to do, rather than just living up to the label of Chelsea tractor and just sticking to the roads. Our next event is on 29 September and I’m hoping to see a few more taking part,’ he said.
