Firefighters Race Team
In 2013 Firefighter David Franks of Kent Fire & Rescue Service, based at Herne Bay Fire Station, began to dream of building a track car with some friends to enjoy some racing fun at local Kent track events.
Dave was not new to the idea of buying a car and restoring it having already rebuilt his own personal 1985 Mk 3 Mini. From this knowledge and love for this classic vehicle he got a small group of friends together to invest in the purchase of a 1978 Mini Mk 3 saloon. This 35 year old car was showing its age, but Dave’s group had a vision and were confident they could build a track worthy car from this shell
Having acquired the car, Dave, Who was already the Station Rep for the Firefighters Charity, had his vision for the vehicle changed following a visit to Harcombe House rehabilitation centre in Devon, owned and run by the Firefighters Charity (Formerly the National Fire Service Benevolent Fund). This visit highlighted the charities work and facilities in the rehabilitation of injured firefighters from across the country. Speaking to the staff and charity members it became clear to Dave that the charity required new ways of raising sponsorship and support to fund this invaluable service to the firefighters of the country, and so a seed was planted and Dave’s dreams for the race car began. Whilst at Harcombe House, Dave began sketching ideas for his race car little knowing at this time how real these ideas would become
In February 2013, Dave spoke to his friends and expressed his interest in using the Mini to support fund raising for the Firefighters Charity. Having already made some enquiries Dave highlighted some potential sponsorship ideas to not only restore the car, but to fully convert it into a Race Specification Classic Mini, from this meeting the Firefighters Race Team was born and its attendance with the support from Brands Hatch Racing circuit, its first public appearance as a basic unprepared shell, the journey fully began !
The Fire Fighters Race Team’s vision was no longer just a track day vehicle, It was a fully fledged classic racing Mini which could be run by a small group of individuals who have the Fire Fighters Charity in their blood, Using the race car as the teams heart to raise funds and support for the Firefighters Charity.
The Team is hoping to raise funds and support by attending many different events across the country. Raising the race teams profile along the way and increasing awareness of this worthy charity that supports UK Firefighters.
The Firefighters Race Team Mini will be used in various fundraising activities including Car Shows, Hill Climbs, Sprints, Track Days as well as being entered into the Classic Sports Car Club Special Saloons and Swinging Sixties, Race Championships, subject to Team Funding.
Along side this, with the support of Kent Fire & Rescue Service, the racing Mini will also offer support to engaging with local communities to raise Road Safety Awareness, Highlighting the many Safety features built into the vehicle to allow it to be used safely in a controlled Race environment.
This dedication to Road Safety Awareness was demonstrated during a visit to the NEC International Autosport Show 2014, where the Team hosted a stand with the support of Kent Fire & Rescue Service and West Midlands Fire Service, as well as the Firefighters Charity.
From the stand the public and trades were able to engage with Kent Firefighters who distributed road safety messages and materials, as well as displaying road traffic collision rescue equipment and resources including the ‘Jaws of Life’.
The car build is now complete and had its ‘ Shakedown’ at Brands Hatch at the end of April, With David completing his ARDS Race licence test the same day. The following weekend we were racing at Brands Hatch in the Fastest Mini in the World Race. With a New Team, New Driver and New Car we achieved a very respectable 7th place finish in qualifying and followed up with a 4th in our first race. With a 6th place in our second race the next day.
We have also completed our first sprint/hillclimb at Motorsports at the Place and much to ours and everyone’s surprise we gained 1st in class ! and 9th overall out of some 80 amazing cars.
We have competed as a totally out classed race car in the special saloons race series and still even against cars with some 400BHP out of 26 cars we still resulted in 16th and 15th places consecutive in races !
We now have a full calendar of events that we wish to attend during 2014 and we are already looking at attending our invite to the NEC Autosport show in January 2015 and into next year.
All of this is only possible due to the dedication of David Franks, the generosity of the Teams Sponsors and of course the teams own members donating time and money into the car and team diary.
The story doesn’t end there….
We are now in need of further Sponsorship to maintain the car and to run the teams calendar of events, as we are a non profit organisation further funding is crucial for us to successfully run the team.
Donations are also required to support the FireFighters Charity, but by supporting the Firefighters Race Team we pledge to continue to raise much needed funds and awareness for the Firefighters Charity.
If you feel you are able to help you can contact David Franks & The Team through any of the following channels:
Please call us on 01227 250 750 or email [email protected]
http://www.justgiving.com/firefighterscharity-kent-mini
Sponsors
