During the season finale of the Canadian Sport Compact Series in September, Demaras Racing and GTA Exotics held a fundraising raffle in support of SickKids Hospital. Automotive enthusiast Hussein’s raffle ticket was randomly chosen, netting him the grand prize of a thrill ride in a Ferrari.
A month after the GEARHEADS GIVING BACK, TOO fundraiser, the anticipation is over. With GTA Exotics final ‘track day experience’ at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park scheduled for the Thanksgiving Day long weekend of October 10th, 11th and 12th, Hussein would finally got behind the wheel of the Ferrari.
Before being handed the keys to a $250,000 car, GTA Exotics has all drivers sign an waiver, then head out on track as a passenger with an experienced instructor. Hussein plus Daniel and Chris Demaras squeezed into a Ford Mustang GT convertible for the exploratory laps. The weather was just perfect, without a cloud in the sky and no chance of rain. This was going to be fun!
One thing they don’t mention in the brochure is how small the inside of a Ferrari race car is! Between the safety equipment like the full roll-cage, plus the rigid racing seat, there is not much room for 6’2″ Hussein or his size 13 sneakers! Fortunately, Stu (the head honcho of GTA Exotics) is the same size person, and knew the trick was to just toss the Jordans out the window.
Once his helmet was securely fastened, Hussein eased out on track with Stu as his co-pilot. This made perfect sense, since Stu was the man who made this day happen. Not only did he donate the thrill ride in his Ferrari, but he even brought that same car to the original fundraiser on short notice. Truly a prince among men.
When the car is approaching 200 km/h on the straightaway, the laps go by quickly. The engine screamed as Hussein mashed the go pedal, and with some coaching from Stu, Hussein was setting respectable lap times within minutes. Of course, it’s hard to ‘full send it’ with the car owner sitting next to you.
As he pulled into pit lane, it was all smiles for Hussein. To drive one of the most revered automotive brands in the world, all in its natural habitat; the race track. The only that topped the moment was knowing that this was all part of the GEARHEADS GIVING BACK, TOO fundraiser for SickKids Hospital.
The event helped raise funds and raise awareness of the need to support one of the finest pediatric centres in the world. Just goes to show you that doing good can feel good too.
Great post! And more importantly, THANK YOU for helping sick kids out! You folks are true heroes!
It only takes a little effort to do some good. Each year, at the end of racing season, we host a charity event. You know what? We never raised a million bucks. But we tried, we helped and maybe we inspired someone else to do the same.
Thanks for your kind words, DAP.