It wasn’t so much an export of a thing but an inspiration to make it happen. The actions involved in planning fell into place and what began with a conversation in the UK over 10 years ago has come to America.
The first (USA) CrowdStrike Veterans Race of Remembrance Powered by AWS was a showcase of perseverance and honor. The efforts of veterans to push through with life after service and the honor of those lost in the fight were blended behind the wheel and on the track at Virginia International Raceway.
The first event in the UK actually began 8 years ago as the concept grew from a charity “track day” into an endurance race mixed with a memorial service that is now the “Race of Remembrance“. The event for 2025 raced in Wales at the Anglesey Circuit and hosted a number of inclusive opportunities for everyone to honor Veterans on the track or in the attendance.
Mission Motorsport has brought the concept to the United States and on the track at VIR. The weekend before the actual Veterans Day (November 11) put veterans behind the wheel, in the crews and on the paddock for a split race format. The race was under way earlier in the morning with a scheduled stop at 10:40am. The memorial service was held in the paddock following a “11th hour, 11th month” format. Veterans stood at attention as Taps and Amazing Grace were played, wreaths were presented and silence noted the time and date of the ending of World War 1 which inspired “Armistice Day”. (That later became Veterans Day to include and honor all who have served their Country.)
The race restarted with a charge to the finish. The winners were everyone involved with the focus on the Veterans on the day. This is set to be an annual event so the calendar will need to set to find if VIR will hold the next or if the event will move around.
For this Veterans’ weekend, there were two other series showcased at VIR. The Ford Mustang Cup held their championship points finale. The weekend races took on the Virginia track as a make up for bad weather earlier at Road America.
The other was the Radical World Finals with purpose built race cars in multiple divisions for power and skill. These cars are built for track days and racing and the competition was tight on the VIR course.
It was a warm gift of a weekend to showcase Veterans, make up on the Mustang schedule and get some Radical racing on the course at VIR. The full season comes to a close with the annual fundraiser for Victory Junction by getting your car on the track at Virginia International Raceway.
Photo Gallery from the Race Of Remebrance weekend at VIR – November 6-9, 2025
