AUSSIE INVICTUS GAMES TEAM MEMBERS VIE FOR DRIVING SKILLS - JUST CARS

Aussie Invictus Games Team Members Vie For Driving Skills Test Selection

At a recent event at Sydney Olympic Park, 72 Australian Invictus Games Sydney 2018 team members were put through their paces in a range of driving tests to find two who will represent Australia in the first event of the Games.

And when the dust settled, former Navy clearance diver Scott Reynolds and former Army commando Craig McGrath, both sailing for Australia at the Games this year, emerged as the team members who will add 'Driving Challenge competitor' to their competition roster.

"We had a lot of fun driving a great range of cars in a variety of situations," 39-year-old Scott Reynolds said.

"We learned a lot, and I'm looking forward to making the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge my first event of the 2018 Games."

Former commando Craig McGrath, 45, a 23-year veteran who was badly injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan on his second deployment, said sailing puts him in a perfect environment that allows him to enjoy life's simpler pleasures.

"The Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge won't be simple. I'll be going out for the win but enjoying myself at the same time – and getting to drive some really beautiful and capable cars."

Jaguar Land Rover has been a major and very proud supporter of the Invictus Games since 2014, a sporting competition founded by HRH The Duke of Sussex for wounded, injured and ill serving and former servicemen and service women.

A former serviceman, The Duke is the Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation and continues to drive awareness and support for the Games as a way of positively changing the lives of wounded, injured and ill serving and former defence personnel.

Jaguar Land Rover Australia's General Manager Brand Experience, Mark Eedle, said the driving test selection trials at Sydney Olympic Park gave team members a welcome break from their tough training schedules.

"It is a bit of light relief from what is a very intensive training program but there is a serious side to it as well in that we find the two best drivers to represent Australia," Mr Eedle said.

The Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge is a test of skill and precision, with two participants from each country required to display the best team and communication skills.

The selection tests for the Australian team included Smart Cones, a computer-controlled slalom course testing speed and accuracy, the steep Twin Terrapod and slippery Ice Cube ramps, a small, fenced ring testing manoeuvrability skills, 'train tracks' designed to test accuracy and team work, and the Hitch Lift Challenge, testing reversing skills and accuracy.

Test co-designer, John Eggenhuizen, said the layout used some disciplines inherited from Jaguar and Land Rover in the United Kingdom with the rest developed locally.

"Jaguar Land Rover want to make the final event during the Games challenging for competitors from all nations taking part in the event, so the Trials were all about giving everyone the necessary skills base to be successful in the competition.

"The selected competitors will face a different course on Challenge day, as well as driving different vehicles so we have tried to give everyone a good feel for the vehicles across a number of different areas."

The Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge will be the first medal event at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 presented by Jaguar Land Rover and will take place ahead of the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, October 20.