Kids with cancer live it up in the fast lane at Sydney SuperUtes
The V8 SuperUtes in Sydney welcomed a record pack of 21 cars entered to race at the Sydney Motorsport Park (28 – 30 July), cheered on by hundreds of onlookers including some very special guests of one driver – kids with cancer and their families.
Jimmy Vernon ‘The Phantom’, drove with 7-year-old cancer warrior and artist, Ollie, on his helmet – and brought with him a group of young cancer warriors to enjoy a weekend of fast cars and behind the scenes experiences including pit tours, meeting the drivers, sitting in race cars, and watching the heat on the track.
Ollie was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer – rhabdomyosarcoma – in September 2022. Ollie is a talented artist who faces his battle with cancer bravely, using treatment time to create incredible drawings. In April 2023, Ollie had his drawings licensed as fabric patterns and now his drawings have become jumpers. As Ollie bravely battles, his parents try to keep his spirits high talking about the wonderful things they will do as a family when treatment is done. They plan to match every day Ollie spends in hospital with a day of living – doing things he loves and making his wishes come true. His experience at the Sydney SuperUtes was a highlight for Ollie and his family. Eight other families of kids with cancer joined Jimmy at the track for a fantastic weekend.
Jimmy, cheered on by the young cancer warriors, started from position nine for race one on Saturday, faced some frustrating fuel challenges but managed to finish seventh. Things looked smoother in race two he took the lead for a moment, before being forced back to fifth.
Sunday saw Jimmy and his team take a setback when the back of his car was clipped in race 3, and then rolled in eleventh in race 4.
While for Jimmy Vernon the weekend did not finish with the result hoped for, he was thrilled to see the smiles of his special guests faces, and now has his sights set on Round 3 in Adelaide at The Bend Motorsport Park, September 15-17.
Jimmy won the 2022 Australian Production Car Championship, A1 class last year racing for Kids with Cancer Foundation. In 2023, Jimmy is competing in the V8 SuperUtes, again dedicating his season to Kids with Cancer.
Jimmy has pledged 20% of his corporate sponsorship funding to Kids with Cancer Foundation, which is committed to making today easier for kids with cancer and their families through providing direct financial support to families, Care Packs, Wigs4Kids, plus funding critical hospital salaries and infrastructure, cancer research and more. This year, Kids with Cancer Foundation marks 25-years of supporting kids with cancer and their families and celebrated providing over $30 million in funding nationwide through its programs.
For more information on Jimmy Vernon racing for kids with cancer visit https://kidswithcancer.org.au/ambassadors/
