The reason why the British Armed Forces have motorsport teams
Have you ever heard of any of the British Armed Forces motorsport teams? If the answer is no, don’t worry. I wasn’t until I recently attended Autosport International 2025 at the NEC. Both the British Army and the RAF were present, and I only had one question: “Why?” This is why teams exist and what they do.
It’s part of the lifestyle
Members of the British Armed Forces are encouraged to take part in sports as part of their time in the military. This is for several reasons, especially that it is good for the mind and body, but it also improves relationships between members and brings in some healthy competition.
Motorsport is one option, where the forces subsidize some of the costs, allowing the cost of entry to be lowered. Furthermore, members of the various teams can take time off work to compete in races and participate in events such as Autosport International and the British Grand Prix.
Recruitment worker
Speaking to a member of the RAF team, the biggest reason the Army supports these teams is that they are part of an ongoing drive to attract new members, which is becoming increasingly difficult. It helps sell the lifestyle, as other sports teams do.
The RAF and British Army Pavilion certainly attracted some attention, and the presence of these two organizations at the exhibition must have sparked the interest of some passers-by. There was a recruitment section on both platforms, and after editor Paul Hadley and I got to that section first, we were about to be sent into the RAF!
Where motorsport teams affiliated with the armed forces compete
The RAF Wing featured a go-kart, giving recruits the opportunity to compete in motorsport more suitable for beginners. There was also a sim racing rig, a popular theme at this year’s motorsport show. Both cars on display were German, but the driving prospects were very different from the sounds of them.
The modified BMW 116i is where many of the drivers in the team cut their teeth, describing it as “planted”. From some quick research, RAF Motorsport Association She owns two of these cars, competing against similar machines from other military racing teams.
the The Audi TT is manufactured by Darkside Developments It is one of the most interesting cars in the show, being a rare diesel race car. It is said to be harder to handle than a BMW, not surprisingly, as it weighs just 1140kg but has 325bhp and 543Nm of torque. It runs on HVO, a sustainable alternative to diesel.
There are a whole range of events in which Armed Forces motorsport teams compete. Mainly, teams battle each other in the Armed Forces Racing Challenge featuring 10 rounds of racing at 5 circuits across the UK. There are also annuals Anniversary race in Anglesey, a 12-hour endurance race held over Remembrance Weekend. The previously mentioned Audi TT won the 2024 Anniversary Race – although it’s more than just a race; It is an opportunity to bring people together from across the armed forces and commemorate those who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace.
