Army wins big at the races

By Capt Sandra Turner
and Peter Johnson
Volume 11, No. 41, April 20, 2006

Holden vs Ford: Motoring rivalries are set aside while Holden fan Chris Eastman and Ford fan Adrian Knoop discuss green-team issues with Gnr Christopher Lawn, 48 Fd Bty.Photo by LACW Melina Mancuso

Team Army: Trade trainee members of the Armygeddon team AC Daniel Frantz and Cfns Nicholas Haley, Andrew Gorine, Chris Lo and Simon Marengo. Photo by LACW Melina Mancuso

Young gun: Cpl Cindy Marett shows Jarrod Sheehan and his dad Greg some of the specialist weaponry on display at the 2 Cdo Coy stand. Photo by Peter Johnsono

TWO high-profile Australian motor racing events – Melbourne’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix and the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide – not only had high-performance motor vehicles in common, but also prominently featured Army equipment, vehicles and personnel.

At both events, one Army representative stood tall to wow the crowds – the six-wheel-drive beast known as Armygeddon. Spectators viewing the hotted-up 6x6 Land Rover could not fail to be impressed by the achievements of Army technical trades in turning the Infantry Interim Mobility Vehicle into a real earth-shaker.

In Adelaide, Armygeddon spent just a brief time on the track, but it is hoped if it returns next year, it will have the chance to delight patrons around the whole circuit.

In Melbourne, Team Army OC Maj Peter Baxter said the team appreciated the chance to display Armygeddon to the huge Grand Prix crowds.

“I believe that the motorsport public who attend Formula One are now more aware of the capabilities of Army technical trades. And, of course, members of the Army are just as interested in Formula One as other members of the public are,” he said.

Another unit visible at the Grand Prix was 2 Coy, 1 Cdo Regt, which displayed equipment ranging from the Steyr, Minimi, M4 and MAG 58, to medical, parachuting and all the water-ops equipment worn by commandos.

These displays proved very popular with the public. OC 2 Coy Maj Chris Wallis said that while most people attending were there primarily for the race, a career with Defence was now firmly planted in many minds.

“It is surprising to realise that although a career in the ADF was the last thing on their minds before going to the Grand Prix, a number of potential recruits, when surveyed, indicated that they first started thinking about a military career after viewing the commando display,” he said.

At the Clipsal 500, a large number of weapons and equipment were on display from 16 AD Regt, 48 Fd Bty, 9 Bde, 10/27RSAR, 9CSSB, 3 Fd Sqn, 144 Sig Sqn.

Soldiers from 16 AD Regt displayed their RBS-70 anti-aircraft missile system, which generated a lot of public interest.

9 Bde provided a significant contribution of assets and more than 150 reservists who rotated through the four days to ensure race patrons were well aware of the Defence presence and the many and varied roles of the Army Reserve.

10/27RSAR, displayed an array of weapons and had a very popular tent where patrons could see the benefits of using Ninox night-vision equipment first hand.

48 Fd Bty exhibited a 105mm Howitzer while 144 Sig Sqn provided a satellite terminal assembly exercise and an FFR radio detachment.

The 9CCSB display included a field ambulance and, among medical, transport and other-corps representatives, RAEME personnel were available to discuss their role in the Army Reserve, which provided an excellent link for motor-minded patrons.

3 Fd Sqn provided an interesting and well-attended hands-on display of its Portable Sawmill System that came into service last year.

Not all the action was on the ground. The Red Berets dazzled the crowds with their own unique brand of crowd-pleasing aerial acrobatics.

As well as many race patrons visiting the various unit displays at the Clipsal 500, a number of VIPs also popped in. South Australian Premier Michael Rann, Defence Minister Brendan Nelson, CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, Commander 2 Div Maj-Gen Ian Flawith and Commander 9 Bde Brig Timothy Hanna were among those lending their support.