MOTOR sport enthusiasts put a lot of effort into watching races – one group with a Royal Navy element cycled hundreds of miles to see a RN race team in action.

Amongst the thousands of TVR fans watching the Royal Navy-supported TVR T440Rs at Le Mans were 20 members of the TVR Car Club who cycled the 250 miles from Dorset to the French racing circuit, raising money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as they went.

Leading the support team was Lt Cdr Ralph Dodds, Officer in Charge of Command and Advanced Warfare Training Unit at the Maritime Warfare Centre, HMS Dryad.

It is the third year Lt Cdr Dodds has acted as support team leader, and the team hope to raise some £3,000.

In keeping with the jointery of the Services, the cycle trip was a true tri-Service venture, with Nimrod pilot Flt Lt Darryl Laws acting as deputy support team leader, whilst among the cyclists were ex-Royal Marine David Wynn and a former member of the Royal Corps of Transport, Clive Buxton.

As it happened, the Royal Navy-supported TVR team did not reach the end of the gruelling 24-hour race, but there is always next year!

Anyone interested in taking part in Royal Navy motor sport on either two wheels or four should contact the RNMSA secretary Cdr Tom Quaye at Northwood on 9360 46177 or visit the RNAC website at www.royalnavyautomobileclub.com