24h Le Mans
Pipo Derani, set to take the wheel of Glickenhaus Racing's #708 Glickenhaus 007 at the 24 Hours next month, and the artist Jisbar recently announced a unique collaboration to benefit the São Paulo GRAACC children's hospital.
Defending IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship champion Pipo Derani has formed a collaboration with French artist Jean-Baptiste Launay, known as Jisbar. Derani will sport a meaningful helmet painted by Jisbar for the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans on 11-12 June that will thereafter be sold at auction in support of the GRAACC children's hospital in São Paulo. The hospital has been treating children and adolescents stricken with cancer for 30 years.
The Brazilian driver will take the start in the 24 Hours for the seventh time and will represent Glickenhaus Racing with whom he finished fourth last year. Derani is entered with Romain Dumas and Olivier Pla in the #708 Glickenhaus 007 LMH.
After the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the helmet will be sold at auction. The full amount raised will be donated to the hospital which will apply the funds to the most scientifically advanced treatment of approximately 4,000 patients a year. Pipo Derani: "I have always followed the work of GRAACC closely, and I have also visited the hospital. Everything they have done over the last 30 years is sublime, helping so many children and adolescents in the fight against cancer. As many people know, my father passed away in 2018 with the disease and this is when I saw a possible future way to honour his memory. I met Jisbar a short time ago and became a big admirer of his art. Over the last few years, he has also done several initiatives in Europe, raising funds with his arts for socio-environmental campaigns and helping victims of Covid-19, among many others works. When I presented him the idea of holding the auction in Le Mans for the benefit of the GRAACC Hospital, he accepted right away. I hope that we can raise a large amount to help the GRAACC Hospital to continue this important and vital work, helping so much those who are in this battle against cancer."
Jisbar is honoured to have Derani as a patron. Jisbar: "As a motorsport fan, I was really honoured when I learned that Pipo was one of my collectors and so I discovered his incredible career. When he told me about this project, I immediately agreed, especially because this initiative has such a noble cause. Collaborating with a champion and above all such a generous person is a very special opportunity in my career."
Derani and Jisbar will soon share all the details of the auction on their respective social networks.
