INDY 500: Wilson unveils tribute helmet

Stefan Wilson unveiled a very special helmet he commissioned from Michael Corby, who painted his late brother Justin Wilson's helmet.

For Stefan, who is making his Indy 500 debut with the KV Racing team, the chance to honor his brother, his late friend and countryman Dan Wheldon, and his former engineer Tim Wardrop in a single helmet design was a necessary move.

"I've carried Dan's 'DW' logo on every helmet since we lost him, and there's also a logo on the back that says 'Doctor Who' and it's not because I'm a fan of the show, it's a tribute to Tim Wardrop – that was his nickname – and I had the good fortune to work with him for one race and we also lost him," Wilson told RACER.

The split design, which features Stefan's traditional livery on the left and his brother's on the right, was done by Corby, and the helmet will be auctioned after the 100th running of the Indy 500 with all proceeds going to help the families connected with his sponsor, the Indiana Donor Network.

"Michael did all of Justin's helmets and it was cool to go and spend some time with him," Wilson added. "He had files for all of the helmets he did for Justin, and I think it was very emotional for him to open them up and paint another one. We'll auction this off – the money will go wherever the Indiana Donor Network decides, and I hope it goes to some of the families waiting for a transplant. The medical bills they receive for all they go through are astronomical. I hope the helmet raises a lot of money on their behalf."

The gorgeous helmet, according to Wilson, could return after the Indy 500.

"We'll auction this one off, but I think I might need to have another made and keep using it," he said. "It's really beautiful and keeps their memories alive."

Click on the thumbnails below for larger images.

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