Military veterans were given VIP access to a new Scalextric track at Bicester Heritage with a free lift from volunteer drivers.

Mission Motorsport, a charity delivering motorsport opportunities for the armed forces, invited six Chelsea pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea soldiers’ retirement home to see the track at Bicester Heritage.

The charity invited a second charity, Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, whose voluntary taxi drivers picked the veterans up and drive them to the venue.

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The Scalextric track is a model of the Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester, and will be open to the public in January.

Frances Wyhowska, ambassador of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans said: “It’s fantastic that Mission Motorsport was able to get a private event organised before the official opening.

Oxford Mail: Chelsea Pensioner military veterans enjoying Bicester HeritageChelsea Pensioner military veterans enjoying Bicester Heritage (Image: Frances Wyhowska)

“The veterans have been enjoying themselves like big grown-up boys racing cars. It’s been really good fun.

“We have a big pool of volunteer taxi drivers. In the past we’ve taken 15 to 20 veterans to events, including one where a 98-year-old WWII veteran got to whizz around a track in a supercar.

“It’s so great seeing veterans of all ages getting together and having fun with each other. Charities working together and bringing people together like this is very worthwhile.”

Ms Wyhowska told the Bicester Advertiser that the veterans were at Bicester Heritage enjoying the Scalextric for the morning, and then headed to a country pub for some lunch.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1