Finding My Way Back: From Sheffield to the British Army and Back Again Through Motorsport

Mark Jones

Born and raised in Sheffield, like many young people, I left school without a clear idea of what came next, but with a strong desire to do something meaningful. That path led me to enlist in the British Army when I was just 16.

Looking back now, it is remarkable how young I was at the time. I was trusted with an assault rifle and live ammunition, representing the British Army during operational deployment, yet I was still legally too young to buy a pint in a pub. At the time, that contrast barely registered. I was proud to serve, proud of the responsibility placed upon me, and fully immersed in a world that demanded discipline, accountability, and teamwork, whilst offering adrenaline-packed excitement and experiences.

The Army gave me some of the best years of my life. More importantly, it had a lasting positive impact on who I am today. My values, mindset, and approach to both challenge and opportunity were shaped during my service. The importance of preparation, resilience, and collective responsibility are lessons that have stayed with me long after leaving uniform behind.

Unfortunately, my military career was cut short prematurely. That period marked one of the most difficult chapters of my life. The transition into civilian life was challenging, and like many veterans, I struggled to replace the sense of purpose and belonging that comes from being part of the armed forces community. For a number of years, I disengaged entirely from military life. While I now have a broader understanding, at the time I was young and genuinely felt that the Army had turned its back on me.

Everything changed in 2025.

With a lifelong passion for motorsport, a chance meeting with the Army Motorsport Team at Donington Park reignited something I did not realise I had been missing. It was there that I discovered veterans could compete in a race series created specifically for military personnel: the Armed Forces Race Challenge.

The championship pitches the Army Motorsport Team against its RAF and Royal Navy counterparts. Unsurprisingly, the desire to finish ahead of the other services is intense. On track, the competition is uncompromising. In the paddock, however, the armed forces ethos is unmistakable. The sense of community is strong, built on shared experience, mutual support, and the inevitable inter-service banter.

What makes Army Motorsport—and its RAF and Navy counterparts—particularly special is its inclusive approach. Serving personnel, reservists, and veterans compete side by side. For me, returning as a veteran felt like stepping back into a familiar environment. From the outset, I was made to feel welcome. Everyone is treated equally, regardless of service status, rank, or background.

The team itself is a diverse mix of youth and experience, from personnel at the very beginning of their careers to time-served veterans. Officers, senior NCOs, and junior soldiers all come together, united by shared values and a collective passion for motorsport.

While the Armed Forces Race Challenge remains the core inter-service competition, the team also competes in some of the UK’s most prestigious endurance events. These include the Birkett Relay Race, held on the iconic Silverstone Circuit Grand Prix layout, and the 12-hour Race of Remembrance. I will also be returning for the 2026 Birkett endurance, once again taking on the demands of multi-driver competition that place teamwork, adaptability, and preparation at the forefront.

The 2026 season marks my second year of competitive racing. During my rookie 2025 season, I learned a great deal—racing against multiple formulas was a steep learning curve, and coming away with trophies was a reflection of the commitment and effort invested throughout the year.

What continues to drive my development is the military mindset. Constant improvement, attention to detail, and professionalism remain central to my approach. In 2026, I will contest the full Armed Forces Race Challenge calendar, comprising ten 20-minute sprint races at some of the UK’s most respected circuits, including Brands Hatch, Snetterton Circuit, Thruxton Circuit, and Cadwell Park.

Alongside this, I will also be competing in the Clubsport Trophy, a mini-endurance championship featuring 45-minute races and mandatory pit stops. These grids are traditionally filled with civilian competitors, but throughout the season I will be proudly flying the flag for Army Motorsport.

Competing under the Army Motorsport banner as a veteran carries a responsibility I take seriously. Representation matters, and it is important to me that I do so with honesty and integrity. That responsibility extends to the partners I work with. For the 2026 season, I am proud to be supported by RS Wheels, a partner that shares many of the core values synonymous with military service—commitment, professionalism, reliability, and pride in performance. Aligning with supporters who understand and respect the armed forces ethos ensures that what happens off track reflects the standards demanded on it.

With the support of RS Wheels, I am also able to continue giving back through a military-focused charity that is close to my heart, Mission Motorsport. Through charity-arranged events, I provide passenger rides in my race car for injured, wounded, and sick veterans, as well as their families.

Offering these experiences is a privilege. Some beneficiaries climb into the car understandably nervous or apprehensive, but by the end of the session every single one steps out smiling. Being able to share my own passion for motorsport and give others the opportunity to experience the thrill and intensity of high-speed circuit racing is profoundly rewarding. Seeing those reactions firsthand is a powerful reminder of why this journey matters.

For me, Army Motorsport is about far more than the time spent on track. It is about reconnection, shared identity, and maintaining strong ties with serving personnel and fellow veterans through a common passion. I would encourage any veteran with an interest in motorsport, and who is looking to reconnect with the armed forces community, to reach out. Sometimes, the path back is found where you least expect it.