Team: Wounded Warriors Racing

Driver: Sonny Chauhan

Co-driver: Greg Fung

Car: 2015 Ford Fiesta ST

Division: Targa 2

Country: Canada and Germany

Wounded Warriors Racing hopes to raise donations for Wounded Warriors Canada in support of veterans and first responders. (Photo: Sonny Chauhan)

Rallying support for wounded veterans

Making their debut in Targa Newfoundland is the team of Wounded Warriors Racing or WWR for short. Driver Sonny Chauhan from British Columbia, Canada and team manager Lauralee Mills are military veterans and co-driver Greg Fung, a long-time friend of Sonny’s, is an engineer living in Germany. They are racing in support of other veterans by raising funds for Wounded Warriors Canada.

“Racing in Targa Newfoundland is on our bucket list,” says Sonny. “Our goal is to finish safely.”

Sonny says Targa Newfoundland has been on his bucket list. (Photo: Sonny Chauhan)

Sonny has always had a huge interest in racing from a young age. He took part in the ERC Alberta Championship and won driver of the year. He has a lengthy military background with 25 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Supporting Wounded Warriors Canada was a natural choice. “All veterans need to be heard and understood,” he says. “Mental health issues are on the rise along with suicide. Supporting such a charity to help keep crucial programs going is of great importance.”

Greg Fung and Sonny Chauhan are childhood friends with a shared interest in cars.

Co-driver Greg has several reasons for competing in Targa this year.

“At the Targa, I look forward to expand my horizons, dive into my love for car culture, and reconnect with a great old friend,” says Greg. “Sonny and I go back to Grade 8, when we used to debate about Porsche vs. Ferrari, look at the car models, make the bus trek out to the go-karting track, and just hang out together. There were different times where we lost touch and we’ve developed very different lives since, but I’m very touched to be invited to support his dreams and a powerful charity.”

The striking Ford Fiesta is ready for rally action. (Photo: Sonny Chauhan)

For team manager Lauralee it’s all about helping other vets and watching Sonny and Greg finish the rally safely. She’s been involved with Wounded Warriors Canada since 2015.

“I am an Ambassador for Wounded Warriors Canada and very grateful for the support shown towards the charity,” she says. “This charity is a National Mental Health Service provider for veterans, ill and injured military along with first responders and their families.”

Lauralee Mills, team manager and Wounded Warriors Canada ambassador (Photo: Lauralee Mills)

Beyond experiencing the thrill of Targa Newfoundland for the first time, the team has set its sights on next entering Targa Tasmania. After that they plan to donate the Ford Fiesta ST rally car to female veterans.

About Wounded Warriors Canada

Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC) is a national mental health service provider dedicated to serving and supporting Canada’s ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, first responders and their families.

WWC specializes in providing culturally informed services that utilize a combination of education, counselling, and training approaches to support resiliency and recovery from post-trauma injuries.

For more information and to make a donation, visit: Wounded Warriors Canada | National Mental Health Service Provider (https://woundedwarriors.ca) and put “Targa NFLD WWR” in the comment box. Any amount, large or small, is welcome. Tax receipts will be sent in the mail for any donation over $20.