The off road race giving veterans a track to wellness

The RSL RAEMUS Rover Off-Road Racing team 

The RSL RAEMUS Rover Off-Road Racing program offers ex-service members the chance to step outside their comfort zone while learning the mechanics of the race vehicles, driver navigating, and acting as pit crew at race day events.  

NAVIGATING A ROAD TO WELLNESS 

Darlene Blake 

Darlene Blake is one of hundreds of veterans who has benefited from the program. She served in the Navy for 10 years and, like many veterans, found transitioning to civilian life difficult. 

“After leaving the Navy, I moved to a small country town and my husband was often away interstate truck driving. I was bringing up the kids and trying to find things to do,” she says.  

“It was hard not being in that team environment anymore.” 

A friend introduced Darlene and her husband to the RSL RAEMUS Off-Road Racing Program two years ago and it’s something she credits with bringing her out of her shell. 

“I was very reserved. Being in the team has challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and do things I wouldn’t normally do. Challenge myself,” she says.  

“It makes you feel good about yourself and being part of a team again.”  

Darlene started with the team after visiting an open day and has had various roles. Currently as a RAEMUS navigator she helps the driver identify any hazards on the track or other vehicles coming up.  

RAEMUS FOSTERS A TRUE TEAM SPIRIT

Darlene Blake and Morgan Appleby

Morgan Appleby enlisted in the Army’s Ready Reserve program in 1993 and was medically discharged after 18 months due to a severe knee injury. Morgan is RAEMUS’s Risk Manager and says the program offers a supportive team environment.   

“The program is a little different from most and we are facilitating some of our veterans' rehabilitation.  

“This works in two ways. New team members are taught about navigating and other race skills that can transfer into their everyday life. Then, when we are joined by additional teammates, they’re supported through the program by our existing members. It is a real team environment.”   

POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT

Getting ready to hit the race track 

RSL Queensland provides financial support to the RAEMUS Rover Racing Program to give ex-serving veterans the opportunity to be involved with no out-of-pocket expenses.  

This truly unique program and the community connection the off-road racing team provides to ex-serving veterans and their families is invaluable and Morgan says they couldn’t do it without the support of RSL Queensland. 

“The funding we receive has given us the support we need to run our program and get to the point we are at now, about to have three cars racing,” Morgan says.  

MOTORING ON, TOGETHER 

A RAEMUS Rover off-road racing vehicle in action 

“I stay involved because of the people – mentors if you will,” Darlene says.  

“They’re people who’ve been in the same position as you. They know what you’re going through because they’ve been through it themselves and it is a great team to work with. 

“This program has truly brought me out of my shell. I recommend for anyone to give it a go. Challenge yourself.”   

Morgan echoes Darlene’s sentiment.

“Put your hand up and do it. Unless you start actively participating in things, you’re never going to know what you do and don’t like, or what you can and can’t do. So, don’t think about it, just do it.”  

READY TO RACE?  

If you or a family member would like to get involved with the RSL RAEMUS Rover Off-Road racing program, please click here.

GET INVOLVED IN RAEMUS ROVER

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