Post by Focus on Aug 18, 2013 15:43:48 GMT
Army pals to take on Britain's toughest 24-hour karting event.
Four incredible Army heroes who bonded through devastating injuries they suffered in Afghanistan have become motor racing stars.
Kart men : Tom, Mark, Davie and Ryan are a proud team
Sapper Tom Folwell, Cpl Davie Birrell, Pte Mark Allen and Pte Ryan Goodman – who lost eight legs and eight fingers between them – will make history next Sunday by competing in Britain’s toughest 24-hour karting event.
The four were all injured by roadside bombs and fought back from near death. They have since taken the karting world by storm and regularly beat able-bodied competitors.
Dave Player, founder of charity KartForce that brought the group together, proudly told the Sunday People: “These men prove you don’t need all your limbs to race, just British bulldog spirit.”
Last month the lads, who nicknamed themselves Team Legs, made history by becoming the first team of injured soldiers to take part in a race at Le Mans, winning a Most Sporting Team trophy in the process.
They will cement their place in the record books by becoming the first quartet of injured troops to compete at the British 24-Hour Karting Championship, against 70 able-bodied teams.
Dave said: “These men have heroically served their country. Now they’re representing the UK again in a different way. Every one of them has fought back from the brink of death, so competing at all is little short of a miracle.”
The four will race for an hour-and-a-half in relay for the full 24 hours. Their rivals will be able to use their legs and feet to brake and accelerate but the lads have a tougher job handling their specially adapted karts.
Davie Birrell on the track
Dad-to-be Tom, 29, was blown up last June while on foot patrol in Helmand Province. Recalling that horrifying moment, he said: “It all happened in an instant. One minute I was walking, the next I was lying on the ground.
“I was initially flown to Camp Bastion for life-saving surgery. Then two days later I was flown back to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. But they had to stop off in Cyprus as I developed a blood clot and they needed to stabilize me.
“I lost both legs, my right above the knee and my left through the knee. And on my left hand the tops of all four of my fingers were blown off.”
Yet despite what has happened, he insists he is just grateful to be alive. “I’ve had three massive achievements in the past year,” he said.
“The first was discovering I was going to be a dad, the second was getting well enough to stand on prosthetic legs for the first time.
And finally it’s being able to compete on a level playing field with uninjured guys through KartForce.”
He continued: “I was introduced to the charity by my team-mate Ryan at Headley Court when we were having a coffee. He told me they were doing amazing things and I’ve always loved speed so I decided to have a go.
“We’re proud of our motto: Alive To Drive – because we’re proof that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to your goals.”
Davie, 27, who was serving with the Black Watch Regiment, has been dubbed the Flying Scotsman by his pals. He said: “Our unofficial nickname is Team Legs as none of us have any – but we do have grit in spades.”
Davie, who lost both legs beneath the knee in April 2010, told us: “I don’t really like to talk about the day I was injured. I always focus on looking forward rather than looking back.
“I’ve always been competitive, competing as a boxer in the Army. KartForce is helping me focus that competitive spirit in a positive way.”
Brave : Davie on his prosthetic legs
Like his team-mates he is full of praise for the hospital staff plus family and friends who have supported them on the painful road to recovery.
He said: “My fiancé Zoie has been a crucial part of my recovery. I also have two wonderful sons, Anthony, seven, and Lennon, five, as well as a daughter Talula who is about to turn two. As a father I want to race to make them proud.”
Ryan, 23, of the 2nd Mercians, was blown up in November 2011. He said: “I remember looking down and seeing my legs had gone from below the knee.
My mates helped me immediately and I was back at Queen Elizabeth within 24 hours. The surgeons saved my life.
“Now I’m hooked on racing. It’s a pure adrenaline rush.”
Mark, 22, was also on his first tour of Afghanistan when disaster struck. The private, who was with 1 Royal Anglians for five years, recalled: “I was in hospital for nearly seven weeks.
For the first few weeks I didn’t do much but then I was determined to get up and about. When they asked if I wanted to join the team I said yes with no hesitation. I love the buzz.”
Mark, who cycles regularly to boost his stamina for racing, added: “When I’m behind the wheel it’s a great leveler.
“I love taking on people on the karting track and winning. Now I’ve not only become involved in a sport I love, I’ve made great friends for life."
I'm lost for words ... chocked with pride!! - Fx
