You see the reason for most of his appearances, articles and displays this week was that Elliott was looking to bring awareness to a special cause and help with something that is very near and dear to his heart – making the lives of children with disabilities happier and more fulfilling.
Jory Elliott
For the better part of the past decade Elliott, son of Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame racer Bob Elliott, has dedicated his life to helping those less fortunate using the sport of drag racing as his medium. Teamed with major backer Project Track Champion, an organization dedicated to the promotion of accessibility for persons with a disability in the racing environment, in addition to local group Community Living London, Elliott uses his car and his career to bring a little more joy to those with disabilities and illnesses.
Together they are working to spread the word about the need for accessible viewing areas and amenities at racing facilities throughout North America.
“As a race team chosen to bring awareness to and help eliminate the barriers that exist for those with disabilities and illnesses when attending motorsports events, we wanted to do something in our local community revolving around our upcoming event in Grand Bend, to give something back to the people this team represents,” Elliott said. “Given the work Community Living London does on a daily basis to combat these same issues on a broader scale, and the fact that they have their summer camps program going on in the weeks leading up to our biggest race of the season, it just became very evident that this was a natural fit for us. And I can tell you there aren’t any other events this year that we will be more excited for as a team than this one.”
During the week Elliott made stops at Ashley Oaks Elementary School and Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School, taking the time to sign autographs, let kids see the car and even have an opportunity to win tickets to the race.
This week Elliott will also be joined during Saturday’s Nitro Jam by a few kids from Community Living London, a charity dedicated to supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their families to live fulfilled lives. Each year Community Living London supports over 800 people in a wide variety of opportunities including this weekend’s Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals presented by Parts Canada at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
Jory during the 2012 Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals
“We are very much looking forward to hosting the children from Community Living London and showing them a good time at one of the biggest events of the year,” said Elliott. “These events couldn’t be done without the generous support of many throughout the community. A very special thank you goes out to great companies such as Mopar for donating event tickets and to Ohsweken Speedway and Clearshot Collision and Custom Center, who teamed up to cover the cost of the assisted transportation to and from the race.”
Elliott will have two opportunities to repeat as champion of Ontario’s biggest drag race, with two separate races taking place Saturday and Sunday for the first time in Grand Bend history. With a win in either race Elliott will once again be thrown right back into the championship picture in IHRA competition.
But that all comes second to the kids that will be watching.
“We’re running against some of the best in the world this week and it will be even more exciting to know those kids will be watching,” Elliott said. “We are looking forward to a great race and a great weekend.”
