Mindfulness and motorsports

The Flying Pineapple lines up for the start of a tough 12-hour race.

By Scott May

‘Mindfulness’ and ‘motorsports’ are not two words we generally hear spoken in the same sentence. But Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch has managed to bring them together, thanks to a 1988 Ford Laser affectionately dubbed ‘The Flying Pineapple’.

Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch members build, maintain and race the car as part of the Motor Events Budget Endurance Race Series. The rules for these races are quite simple – cars must be worth no more than $5,000 (not including safety modifications), performance modifications attract penalty points, and the winner is the car that completes the most laps over the course of the race.

Motor Events organisers sponsor the Toowoomba team, allowing the Sub Branch to field as many drivers as they wish. This enables the team to compete in 48-hour endurance races and ensures they cycle through as many drivers as possible, with each race seeing participants getting a solid amount of wheel time – all while being able to manage each participant’s different physical abilities. The most recent campaign at Queensland Raceway on 6 May was the ‘Clippy Cup 12 hour’.

Geoff Hooper, Mark Tully, Scott May and Dan O'Mara accept the trophy on behalf of the whole team.

Dan O’Mara, Army veteran and a self-confessed motorsport newbie, was fortunate enough to dip his toe into the world of motorsport because of the program.

“I’m not really into cars or motorsport, but for me this was more a case of learning something new and experiencing something different while challenging myself,” Dan explains.

“Positive peer pressure and learning from the other veterans that have driven the car before was the catalyst for me giving it a go.”

The team rotates every race, and this one was crewed by six veterans from Toowoomba, Ipswich, and Redland Bay – all with varying abilities. 

Dan is still earning his wings piloting the little yellow Ford around a racetrack. “The first 10 laps I focused on not stuffing up! I had to be mindful of other cars on the track and concentrate on what I was doing,” he said.

“My second run in the car I was more relaxed and had more fun. I was even yelling silly comments at the other drivers – although though they couldn’t hear me – and urging the Pineapple on. I found I was getting more into the moment and out of my own head. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.”

Dan O'Mara tackling turn three at Queensland Raceway.

Given the event lasted 12 hours – with six veterans driving the car and running the pits – it wasn’t always hot action behind the wheel. A lot of organisation is also needed in the pits to help change tyres and brake pads, and assist with driver swaps and refuelling. 

Dan enjoyed being both a driver and a spectator.

“It was about mateship, and we were there as a team. For me it was all about making sure I was pitching in and putting in.”

“I loved being involved, even if it was being in pit lane waving at the drivers as they went past or going to the fuel pit and helping refuel the car. I learnt a lot about cars and the other team members were there to help me learn.”

This campaign was not only Dan’s first, but it was also the team’s most successful one to date, clocking up 283 laps over 12 hours to bring home third place in their class.

“I wish I had done this before now. I think everyone should take the opportunity and make it theirs. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, it was just a great experience,” Dan says.

If you’re interested in supporting this program or being involved, contact Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch.

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