Supercar event for SSAFA launches at Autosport International 2025

29 January 2025

A Driving Force (ADF) is returning in 2026 to its original route throughout western and central Europe from Dunkirk to Sarajevo, all in support of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The official launch of ADF26 took place at Autosport International at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The ADF team has been overwhelmed with the support received so far, and places for just four cars our of the total of 50 for 2026 remain. To secure one of the few remaining spots, visit www.adrivingforce.co.uk. 

ADF is a biennial charity driving adventure delivered by Torque Events. ADF26 will cover 10 countries over the course of 11 days, hoping to raise £100,000 for SSAFA as it supports the welfare and health of UK service personnel, veterans, and their families. 

Benn Laidler MBE, Director of A Driving Force, said: “We have loved spreading the word about our 2026 event and the interest it has received has been amazing – we never expected so many to sign up to the event so quickly!  A Driving Force 2026 is going to be phenomenal, and we have a big target of raising £100,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. 

“By visiting these iconic destinations, it provides us with a platform to improve awareness of all the fantastic work that SSAFA does and raise more money in our attempt to reach our goal. We would like to thank everyone at Autosport International for their continued support.”  

The journey will start in Dunkirk with a short memorial service for those military personnel that made the ultimate sacrifice. Everyone will then traverse through Europe, taking in iconic locations such as Innsbruck, Split, Sarajevo, Heidelburg, and Brussels, before finishing up in the UK. 

Jonathan Sandall, Director of Fundraising for SSAFA, says: “Over the last decade, Steve and Benn have raised a phenomenal amount of money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity through their charity driving events, whilst also remembering the brave servicemen and servicewomen who made the ultimate sacrifice whilst on operations in the Middle East. SSAFA stands together to ensure that our military community receives the support and care they need.”

A Driving Force for SSAFA was created by two ex-serving members of HM Forces: Benn Laidler MBE (from South Petherton, Somerset) and Steve Shaw MA, FCILT, CMCIPD (from Porchester, Hampshire). They saw first-hand the hardship and devastation suffered by casualties of military conflict and wanted to create an opportunity to give back to these men, women, and their families who need the support of charities like SSAFA. 

Since 2012, Steve and Benn have been fundraising through charity driving events, which have taken place across the UK and mainland Europe raising over £800,000 for many charities supporting military personnel. For 2026, this campaign has set its sights on reaching a cumulative £1 million target.