Classic Cars, Feature Story, Features, Muscle cars

The most important drive: Against depression

A passion for cars. That’s why many mechanics devote their working lives to the auto industry. But it’s a life not without its stresses and pressures, no matter how much you love the work. And it often takes its toll.

Many mechanics suffer health and wellbeing issues, and despite increased awareness and outlets to get help, it’d be naïve to believe there isn’t a stigma attached to admitting mental health struggles, and a reticence to discuss it with family, co-workers and bosses. Not least in the seemingly ‘macho’ world of fixing cars.

Image: Iain Curry

An initiative with cars at its core, and how the love of driving and connecting with like-minded people is an ideal conversation starter for those struggling with mental health, is the Drive Against Depression (DAD) charity. It organises motoring-themed events to encourage connections, share stories, listen to keynote speakers and provide a relaxed and judgement-free environment.

Image: Iain Curry

It’s a superb initiative. Organised drive days have taken place across Australia, and the routes, destinations and wide variety of enthusiast vehicles make them compelling events to be involved with. It doesn’t matter your vehicle – Lamborghini Aventador or Ford truck – these are events celebrating the joy and blues-busting potential of just going for a drive with mates new and old.

I headed along to DAD’s recent Sunshine Coast drive day, the dangling carrot being our destination was the renowned Bowden family car collection for a private viewing and tour. You’ll be familiar with their name on the Bowden’s Own car care products, and many will know they house a race and road car collection the envy of every serious collector in the world, let alone Australia. It houses absolute Australian motorsport royalty, including Bathurst and Australian Touring Car Championship winners steered by names including Brock, Moffat, Richards and Johnson.

Image: Iain Curry

But before we get into that, the greater purpose was DAD’s awareness raising and connecting with others. And it’s important stuff for mechanics. Mental health statistics for those in our industry aren’t easy to find, but a report was released earlier this year by UK automotive industry charity, Ben. Its figures make for sobering reading.

Its survey results showed 27 per cent of those in the auto industry reported issues managing their mental health, making it far higher than the 16 per cent reporting likewise from the general workforce. An overwhelming 99.6 per cent of automotive workers said they’ve been affected by health and wellbeing issues in the past 12 months. For automotive employees, the most common issues faced were stress (56 per cent), poor sleep (51 per cent), anxiety (43 per cent) and low mood (41 per cent).

Image: Iain Curry

Mind on the motor

Seven in 10 respondents said they worry about money and cost of living pressures. Another key concern was lack of health and wellbeing support from employers, something many reading this will no doubt recognise. The report showed 40 per cent of those in the auto industry gave negative comments on the matter, including employers not taking mental health seriously and a lack of care where profits seemingly come first.

“Our mission is to support mental wellness through the freedom of driving,” explains co-founder and managing director of DAD, Sarah Davis. She’d helped expertly organise the drive event, and lucked into a perfect Queensland winter’s day as 38 cars and almost 80 people gathered at the starting point.

Image: Iain Curry

There was no hard sell, and no pressure. Sarah and event director David James spoke about DAD’s mission and why it’s important, but even before then it was clear this was a good mix of car people introducing themselves, chatting, laughing and sharing stories. You couldn’t miss the cars, of course. A Lotus Elise racer, Porsche 718, Tesla Model 3, Ford F-150 truck, Ford Fiesta RS, air-cooled Porsche 911, Hyundai i30N, a tatty old BMW E39 530i (that’d be mine) and an even tattier BMW E36 318iS making me feel better. A brilliantly eclectic mix.

A beautiful drive route through the Sunshine Coast hinterland had been suggested by Chris Bowden from Bowden’s Own, and our convoy was soon snaking through stunning scenery. There were no strict rules on when or where to stop – drivers could take a break at any number of suggested roadside cafes – before arriving at the Bowden’s destination in time for our tour. Chris gave his own excellent speech about how his family – like so many – had been affected by mental health issues in its many forms.

Image: Iain Curry

Then there was the veritable candy store of four-wheeled brilliance. David Bowden – Chris’ father – was the collection’s founder, amassing an inventory with a targeted aim on competition cars with significant histories. And boy did he nail that.

There’s Alan Moffatt’s 1973 Australian Touring Car Championship-winning ’71 Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III; the Brock/Richards ’79 Holden LX Torana SS A9X in absolutely original condition as it was when it won Bathurst by six laps in 1979. Over there is Kevin Bartlett’s Channel 9-sponsored Chevrolet Camaro which famously ended up on its roof at Bathurst in 1982; then a 1963 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk1 that had been through both Jim Clark’s and Allan Moffat’s ultra-talented hands.

Image: Iain Curry

Gettin’ around

Seeing so many legendary Falcon GT-HOs in one place is both mind-bending and wonderful; there are more ex-Brock LX Torana A9Xs, a 1979 BMW M1 Procar, and then – wow – there’s Dick Johnson’s Tru Blue 1981 XD Falcon beside his ’84 Greens Tuf XE Falcon. BMW fans – myself included – got gooey over an original racing E30 M3 alongside an ex-Jim Richards 635 CSi dressed in evocative John Player Special black and gold, plus a couple of Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500s that helped make touring car racing of that era so unbeatable.

Image: Iain Curry

I’ve barely time to touch on the road cars, but it’d be impossible not to mention Bowden’s 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, an ex-Jackie Oliver 1971 Porsche 911S beside a ’68 Porsche 911 TR, then a delicious ex-Ron Thorp 1964 AC Shelby Cobra. A few of the attendees were discussing potential value of the complete collection, and rest assured all were coming up with a very big number indeed.

After Chris’ superb insight and storytelling around each car, guests were given free rein to wander around this automotive nirvana – you could see the connections being made at this superb event. “We always try to provide a unique motoring experience, so it’s something people can look forward to,” says Sarah Davis. “But the Bowden collection trip has been extra special. It achieved the intention of the day not only to provide a memorable experience, but to create safe spaces for mental health conversations and to offer connection between people that they mightn’t otherwise have had.”

Image: Iain Curry

Speaking to those who participated, of course they were in awe of the collection itself, but they also mentioned they felt safe and welcome to share honest stories about what was going on for them. In these days of seemingly ever more stressful lives, the importance of this can’t be underestimated. And to frame it around our love of cars, that’s something very special indeed.

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