Ex-driver connects veterans, motorsports
Pete Cline entered the world of motorsports as a competitor, but severe injuries that he suffered in 2013 during a qualifying race became the catalyst for a different kind of opportunity. Now, Cline’s role in motorsports is as a supporter of others.
Rather than continuing to race, Cline instead founded VET Motorsports, a nonprofit group that organizes and funds motorsports experiences for injured post-9/11 veterans who are having trouble adjusting to civilian life. He got the idea based on therapies he saw being done in the United Kingdom. Veterans can ride or work in the pit, and can benefit from the cultural similarities of motorsports to military culture. Cline, the board of directors and volunteers are all unpaid.
”We find the veterans that are interested in participating as a nonclinical therapy and we connect them to the resources,” he said. “It’s always a handson activity — mental stimulation, physical stimulation, creating teamwork. We’ll fund it, we’ll pay for their experience and lodging, food, gas.”
Cline, 49, of Upper Arlington, said his job as traffic safety specialist with Motorcycle Ohio takes a back seat to the work he does through VET Motorsports, and that is OK with him.
Since its creation, the nonprofit group has helped more than 160 veterans and their families nationwide in more than 60 events.