Lors GPF1 2011 Garett a eu la bonne et gĂ©nĂ©reuse idĂ©e de mettre de l’avant un projet des plus gĂ©nĂ©reux en mettant sur pied le projet suivant.
Il a mis sur pied avec son Ă©quipe de demander Ă des enfants atteinds de maladies graves de faire le design pour peindre le casque qu’il a utilisĂ© pour courir au GPF1 2011. Red Bull a Ă©tĂ© attirĂ© par cette action des plus louable et s’est impliquĂ© avec Grist et ses partenaires Sofina food, Bell Helmet et le renommĂ© peintre Art Rotondo. Nous pouvons ĂȘtre tous fier de Garett et en prime il est avec nous pour tout notre championnat 2011 sur une des VD de Britain west.  Il a gagnĂ© Ă Tremblant le dimanche et il a terminĂ© 6e dimanche au GPF1,,,,,un sacrĂ© talent et il n’a que 16 ans. Lors du weekend il a rencontrĂ© les 2 pilotes de red bull qui ont signĂ©s le casque. Il a dĂ©cidĂ© de remettre ce dernier à la fondation afin qu’il soit vendu lors d’une levĂ©e de fond,,,,,,,,,,,UN GRAND PETIT HOMME!!!
 
Grist avec Sebastien Vettel & Marc Webber
Grimsby, Ontario – Garett Grist, a member of the Sofina Foods Driver Development Program, will race with a purpose this weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix as he wears a special helmet designed by many of the children currently receiving care at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. All the kids had a chance to draw what they wanted to see on a race helmet using templates provided by the hospital staff. SickKids is recognized as one of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions and is Canada’s leading centre dedicated to advancing children’s health through the integration of patient care, research and education. Founded in 1875 and affiliated with the University of Toronto, SickKids is one of Canada’s most research-intensive hospitals and has generated discoveries that have helped children globally. Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children. The Foundation’s fundraising is driven by the belief that improving the health and well-being of children is one of the most powerful ways to improve society. In 2010, SickKids Foundation invested $52.5 million in child health research, education and care.
« The helmet came out great. I can’t believe what an amazing job Art (Rotondo) did. He got something on the helmet from all the designs that the kids completed, » commented Grist as he prepares for his first trip to the Canadian Grand Prix. « He was even able to paint exactly how the kids would have drawn. I never thought I’d have a butterfly and a rainbow on my helmet. I could not be more proud to be wearing this helmet at Canada’s biggest racing event. »
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| Unique helmet design inspired by the kids at SickKids Hospital (Photo by: artrotondo.com) |
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Getting behind the program in a big way is Sofina Foods of Markham, ON, one of Canada’s leading food service companies. Sofina Foods proudly combines generations of expertise with the latest in technology to offer a complete line of quality private label and branded products. BELL Racing Helmets of Champaign, IL, the world leader in race helmet technology, donated the Bell Star GP. The advanced Star GP continues the Bell tradition of developing next-generation aerodynamic helmets that deliver stability at high-speeds in a compact, ultra-lightweight design. Renowned Montreal painter Art Rotondo completed the paintwork. As one of North America’s premier painters and designers, artrotondo.com is the only North American helmet design firm to support drivers in both F1 and IndyCar.
« Working with Art and Mauro (Rotondo) was a great. They understood what we were trying to accomplish and got it right away, » states the rookie Formula Ford driver. « It is so great having Sofina on board our Children’s Charity program. They do so much for the community and our program fit right into their plans. »
Also participating in the program is the Red Bull Racing F1 Team. Grist will have the opportunity to meet with the reigning Formula One Constructors Championship winning team during the weekend to show off the special helmet. RBR drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber will meet with the 16-year-old driver to autograph the special helmet during a break in the action. The Red Bull Racing squad head into the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix leading the Constructors Championship with Vettel leading the Drivers Championship and Webber sitting solid in third place.
« Having Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel sign our SickKids helmet is great. The folks at Red Bull Racing jumped on the program from the start, » smiles Grist. « This will really add value to the helmet when we auction it off for SickKids Foundation. We really hope this year long campaign can raise some significant funds for the hospital. »Â Â
Garett is racing with the support of Sofina Foods Driver Development Program, Alpinestars of Italy, Bell Racing Helmets of Champaign, IL, The Trailer Shop of Jordan, ON, Art Rotondo Helmet Designs of Montreal, QC, Autosports Media Group of Guelph, ON and Secrets of Speed Publications of Grimsby, ON.
As the only kart racer in Canada to run both the Western Canadian Championship and the Eastern Canadian Championship in 2010, Grist’s Coast-to-Coast program set a new standard for karting activation in Canada. Taking back-to-back national titles with the ASN Canada FIA Championships in 2009 and the Western Canadian Championships in 2010, Grist has built a track record of delivering. Building on that strong base, Grist will be launching a unique Teen Safe Driving Program all built on a new branding platform Garett’s World. One Dream. One Planet. Developing programs that are designed to support the very communities we all work in is important to the 16-year-old driver.
For more information on Garett Grist, his Children’s Charity Program, Teen Safe Driving Program or this release contact Jeff Grist at jeff@sospublishing.com or 905.328.7458.