der Bayerische May/June 2021 - 19

AN INTERVIEW WITH VETMOTORSPORTS FOUNDER PETER CLINE
One change that is needed is
the perspective of veteran value by
the motorsports industry. Without
getting into the weeds the issue of
underemployment, recruitment and
retention of veteran employees, and
marketing to veterans needs to be a
national conversation at events like
SEMA and PRI. The automotive and
power sports industries can do better
to understand and leverage this
demographic into opportunities.
I'm often asked what the vision
of the future is for VETMotorsports.
My response is always " Global
Domination " as a brand, as a concept, and as an influencer. What we
need are collaborators that understand that our programming
provides engagement opportunities
at various levels. From corporate
collaboration to brand ambassadors
to those that want to continue to
serve after serving, the opportunity is
there. There's no reason why we
can't take VETMotorsports to places
like Ali Al Salem Air Base (in Kuwait
City, Kuwait) and provide some
" helmet therapy " to those stationed
there. How cool would that be?
dB:
What's
your
VETMotorsports story?

favorite

PC: VETMotorsports was the guest
of Mazda North America at Laguna
Seca in 2014. Somebody left the
track gate open the Friday night after
IMSA practice. Somehow an SUV
full of veterans got a " hot lap " and
nearly rear-ended the pace car at the
crest of the Corkscrew. The other
was seven days at the Pikes Peak
International Hill Climb with Ducati
and the Spider Grips/Ducati Team.
The time spent with the veterans in
that intense environment was inspirational. Everyone walked away
from that weekend with an amazing
experience.

(Above) VETMotorsports promotes peer leadership. Past participants are encouraged to lead programming.
(Las Vegas, NV).
members, and veterans with a
service-connected injury can reach
out to VETMotorsports at vetmotorsports@gmail.com, check out our
social media feeds, or register for an
event at this link¹.
dB: How can volunteers and supporters become involved?
PC: Those interested in learning
more about getting involved with
VETMotorsports can contact us via
vetmotorsports@gmail.com.

dB: What else would you like to
convey to our readers?
PC: Take a brief moment to think
about why you got involved in
motorsports... that first event,
introduction, opportunity, and the
positive impact it's made on your
life. Imagine being involved in
something that powerfully impacts
others and shows them opportunities about themselves. That's what
VETMotorsports does.

dB: What's your favorite movie in
the car, car-chase, heist, or racingrelated genre?
PC: The Gauntlet's closing scene
with Clint Eastwood comes to mind.
It has that raw 1970s vibe that is
typical of Eastwood's films.
dB: Thank you for your time and for
serving those who serve.
PC: You're welcome.

¹https://www.eventbrite.com/o/vetmotorsportsorg-14851236000
(Below) VETMotorsports provides opportunities for military members and their spouses to participate in autocross
events (Charlotte, NC pictured).

dB: How can military veterans
become involved?
PC: Active-duty military, National
Guard, Reserve, Gold Star family

May I June

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/vetmotorsportsorg-14851236000 https://www.eventbrite.com/o/vetmotorsportsorg-14851236000

der Bayerische May/June 2021

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