Veterans Enjoy Hot Lap Experience, thanks to Optus Partnership with Walkinshaw TWG Racing.

Sport can create connection in many ways – whether competing, spectating, sharing an experience with family or simply being part of the action.

Thanks to Invictus Australia’s partnership with Optus, several members of the Invictus Australia veteran community enjoyed an unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience with Walkinshaw TWG Racing.  

The experience is one example of how Invictus Australia works year-round to create different opportunities for veterans and families to connect with sport, beyond formal competition.

These events reflect the strong alignment between Optus and Invictus Australia with a shared commitment to inclusion, community, connection, and supporting veteran communities across Australia. By opening its sporting partnerships and experiences to the Invictus Australia community, Optus is able to bring those commitments to life in a tangible way, while building deeper connections with veterans and families across Australia.

A New Appreciation for Elite Motorsport

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 alumna, Sue Osborn, was among those invited to Queensland Raceway in Ipswich for a Hot Lap Experience in the No. 1 Mobil 1 Optus Supercar with 2025 Supercars champion Chaz Mostert behind the wheel.

From the moment she arrived, Sue was welcomed by drivers and team members, with opportunities to explore the pits, watch the cars being prepared and experience the excitement of race day up close.

“It was such an exciting experience from the moment I arrived,” Sue said.

“The drivers were welcoming and happy to chat and take photos, and being so close to the action trackside, suiting up and watching the cars in the pits, really made me feel part of the experience.”

For Sue, the day reinforced many of the same qualities she experienced through her Invictus Games journey.

“I’ve experienced firsthand through Invictus the positive impact sport can have on wellbeing. Being part of the energy, excitement and camaraderie of the Supercars experience was another great reminder of the connection and sense of belonging that sport can create.”

“Experiences like this give veterans an opportunity to connect, share something positive and feel part of a community. It’s a great example of the continued support from Invictus Australia and Optus, and the important role sport can play in recovery and wellbeing.”

Sue osborn

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 alumna

Feeling the Power of a Supercar

In Western Australia, veterans were also invited to experience a hot lap In the Mobil 1 Optus Supercar with Chaz Mostert and Walkinshaw TWG Racing at Wanneroo Raceway.

For Adrian, a long-time Supercars fan who had previously attended events at Bathurst and Hidden Valley, climbing into the passenger seat offered an entirely new perspective on the sport.

“Watching Supercars, whether trackside or on television, cannot adequately prepare you for what it’s like to actually be in the car with these incredible drivers as they go about their work,” he said.

“The skill, focus and precision required to control these cars at speeds in excess of 200 km/h is truly extraordinary.”

“The hot lap gave me a completely new appreciation for just how demanding professional motorsport is and for the exceptional talent of the drivers who make it look so effortless.”

Adrian also praised the Walkinshaw TWG Racing for creating a safe, welcoming and memorable experience for all participants.

“A huge thank you to Invictus Australia and the Optus team for an unforgettable experience. It was an absolute privilege to get a small taste of what these drivers do at the highest level of Australian motorsport.”

Jason Bennetts, Veteran Engagement Manager at Invictus Australia, echoed those sentiments after enjoying the opportunity to meet the team, explore the race operations and experience the power of a Supercar first-hand.

“The smile never left our faces,” he said.

“The sounds and power of that lap will stay with me for a lifetime.”

“It was fantastic to see the passion, professionalism and effort that goes into so many aspects of the sport that you would not appreciate by just being on the sidelines.” 

Creating Meaningful Experiences

While not everyone was able to attend the hot lap events, the partnership also enabled opportunities for veterans and families to experience Supercars in other ways.

Although unable to attend herself, Amanda Lee was able to gift three-day general admission tickets to the Ipswich Super 440 to her husband Anthony, a veteran, and their daughter Peta. The family also enjoyed a pit tour of the Walkinshaw TWG Racing garage, and a grid walk experience.

These experiences demonstrate that participation in sport does not always mean being the person on the field, track or start line. Spectating, sharing an experience with family and being part of a sporting community can also create meaningful opportunities for connection and belonging.

Through its partnership with Invictus Australia, Optus is helping create more of these opportunities for veterans and families, while using its sporting relationships and reach to connect with the veteran community in a meaningful way.

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