Wounded soldiers overcome disabilities to compete in car race

OTTAWA – Two Canadian Forces soldiers severely wounded in the war in Afghanistan aren’t letting their disabilities stop them from competing in a week-long motorsport rally in Newfoundland this September.

Master Cpl. Jody Mitic and Cpl. Andrew Knisley want to help make a difference in the rehabilitation of their injured comrades by taking on Targa Newfoundland – one of the most gruelling motorsport events in Canada – to raise funds for Soldier On. The program helps injured soldiers recover through sport.

"The word ‘hero’ is overused these days. I apply that word in spades to Jody and Andrew, not because they were injured in Afghanistan, but because of what they’ve done since," said retired Canadian general Lewis Mackenzie.

The two soldiers from CFB Petawawa were severely injured in combat in Afghanistan. Mitic lost both his legs below the knees in 2007 and Knisley lost his right leg below the hip and partial use of his right hand in 2009.

Mitic said he was in a Vancouver pub with Knisley during last winter’s Paralympic Games when footage from Newfoundland’s annual Targa rally came on the air. Shortly after, Mitic said he called Mackenzie to ask for help putting a team together for the competition taking place from Sept. 11 to 18.

Since then, Mackenzie has organized a fundraiser, convinced Honda to donate a car specially designed to accommodate their disabilities, and provided coaching advice. Mitic and Knisley will use the competition to raise money for Soldier On.

Mackenzie is an avid Formula 4 racer and competed in the Targa Newfoundland competition himself in 2004. The only condition he attached to helping out Mitic and Knisley was that the pair follow through to the end, Mitic said.

"Lewis said if we wrap the car around a tree in the first 10 kilometres, he’s going to make us walk the rest."

The two men will trade off driving duties over the course of the rally. Both said competitive driving with prosthetic limbs isn’t as hard as it sounds.

The car, a silver 2010 Honda Acura TL, has paddles on the steering wheel for shifting gears instead of a clutch, making it easier for Knisley to drive without the full use of his right hand. Mitic uses his prosthetic feet to work the gas and brake pedals, while Knisley uses his left foot crossed over his right.

Even though neither soldier has competed in a motorsport rally before, both say they hope to finish strong in the modern stock class. Knisley said they have one clear advantage – competitive driving is a lot less scary than combat in Afghanistan.

"I don’t think there’s much worry of danger for me and Jody. It’s kind of our job."

This is not the first time Mitic has refused to let his disability get in the way of intense competition in sport. Last September, he ran a half-marathon in Ottawa and said he hopes to compete in the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race and sledge hockey in the future.

However, he said he’s given up on his goal of returning to combat in Afghanistan, planning instead to spend more time with his young daughter and pursue a university degree. Knisley said he plans to return to Afghanistan on a goodwill tour in the fall.

Mitic said he knows one thing for certain about his future: it will be interesting.

"I need excitement in my life," he said.