French artist Jisbar paints Pipo Derani helmet for action on behalf of the GRAACC Hospital

Reigning IMSA champion and one of the most decorated endurance drivers currently racing in international sportscars, Pipo Derani, has formed a partnership with renowned French artist Jean-Baptiste Launay, universally known as Jisbar.

The initiative will see Derani race with a spectacular one-off Jisbar painted helmet at the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans next month (11/12 June). It will then be auctioned to help the GRAACC Hospital, which for 30 years has been assisting children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment.

 Derani will compete at Le Mans for the seventh time with the Glickenhaus Racing squad with partners Romain Dumas and Olivier Pla in the No.708 car.

The entire amount collected from the post-Le Mans auction will be donated to the GRAACC Hospital, located in São Paulo. Children and adolescents, from 0 to 18 years old, are treated at the facility using the most advanced scientific standards. There are around 4,000 patients treated per year at GRAACC.

"I have always followed the work of GRAACC closely, and I have also visited the hospital,” said Derani.

 “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 other works.

“When I presented him with 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,” concluded Derani.

 Jisbar was also very happy with the partnership, commenting. "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," he said.

"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", he concluded.