Former Toronto Maple Leaf Darcy Tucker presented Jody Jamieson with his official Canadian driving helmet for the 2015 World Driving Championship during the 'Hot Stove' session at the Milton Sports Celebrity dinner on Tuesday, February 3 at Rattlesnake Golf and Country Club.
"It was very cool to have Darcy Tucker present it to me," Jamieson told Trot Insider. "I think it was a well-received part of the evening."
TSN’s Rod Black emceed the event, which is coordinated annually by the Milton Chamber of Commerce.
The other Sports Celebrities that took part included figure skating star, Kurt Browning; Olympic bronze medalist spring canoeist, Mark Oldershaw; two-time Grey Cup champion quarterback, Henry Burris, former Canadian basketball team coach turned Raptors analyst, Leo Rautins; Olympic Gold medalist Women’s Hockey star, Cheryl Pounder, and former NHLer Ric Nattress.
During the Hot Stove session, emcee Rod Black asked the athletes about the importance of winning and the significance of competing in a sport they loved. Jamieson talked about the emotion he felt in the 2001 World Driving Championship when he was brought out on the front of a firetruck, in his Canadian colours, to the racing fans following the last WDC race where he secured the World title.
Kurt Browning articulated “emotional connection” to his sport, Henry Burris spoke of the support he received from his family during his career and Leo Rautins talked about the “process” of winning.
The evening featured an autograph signing, silent and live auction, cocktail reception, dinner and interviews of the celebrity guests in a Hot Stove format. Proceeds from this event go towards the Chamber Scholarship Fund, funding local students in their post-secondary education.
Woodbine Entertainment Group was one of the sponsors of the event. Standardbred Canada donated a “Racing Experience” package for the live auction. Representatives from WEG, Standardbred Canada and the Ontario Harness Horse Association were on hand at the event.
Grattan Helmets created the Jamieson's helmet and Irv N Vic produced the Canadian colours. The driving colours and helmet will be on display this Saturday, February 7 at Standardbred Canada’s Annual General Meeting from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Hazel McCallion Room at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel.
