Britain's motorsport companies are being employed by the MoD for defence projects - helping save lives and thousands of jobs.
Quick reaction times make racing firms perfect for military work
Many of the major names in British motorsport are now involved in military contracts, with companies like McLaren, Williams and Prodrive finding it a vital source of income.
At Lola's factory in Huntingdon, you will find racing cars being prepared next to unmanned drones.
The company has quickly turned its hand to MoD work, showing the know-how and flexibility needed to react to problems with equipment quickly.
The company recently helped develop an unmanned underwater vehicle for British Aerospace, producing a composite hull for the vehicle within three months.
Lola's Managing Director Andrew Manahan told Sky News: "The heritage that we have from our motor racing business is where we develop the carbon fibre and composite technologies from and where we have the rapid reaction of motor racing which is the DNA, if you like, of what Lola has combined with the composite technologies.
Supacat: Off-road vehicle uses technology from rally sport
"It's the perfect offering for the MoD and various defence applications."
The Government has a specific budget set aside for urgent solutions to problems with equipment.
The motorsport companies have shown that many of their skills are easily transferred, and their culture of quick reactions means they are ideally placed to help out.
Lord Drayson understands both sides of the issue as a government minister and a racing driver. He told me: "What we needed was to get faster development done in defence.
"The way the enemy changes its tactics you have to respond quickly. This industry knows all about the value of time.
"It has an amazing ability to get complex, new ideas tested quickly and into use."
The motorsport industry has been particularly badly hit by the recession. The contracts with the MoD have helped safeguard thousands of highly-skilled jobs.
The effect of the work with the MoD is clear to see at the Autosport Show at the NEC this weekend.
The annual motorsport show features famous drivers and cars, and on the Motorsport Industry Association's stand is a Brawn GP Formula One car and a Supacat, an off road military vehicle. Both are an example of motorsport companies' expertise.
Supacat draws on the experience of companies who compete in extreme events like the Dakar Rally.
Chris Aylett, the MIA's Chief Executive, told me: "It's about the fact that motorsport discipline knows the value of time.
"If we're late for a race we lose millions of dollars of sponsorship or TV time. If these guys are late to the race they're dead."
While it's not thought that motorsport companies will ever concentrate solely on defence, this work has come at the right time.
Both sides say the tie up has been beneficial, showing that the know-how needed to win races can also help in far more serious scenarios.
Please click here to read the article on SkyNews and to see a picture of the Supacat on The MIA stand at Autosport International 2010.
