Canadian actor Jason Priestley has a thing for cars - and helipads. So much so, the former Beverley Hills, 90210 heartthrob is serving as honourary co-chair of the inaugural Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Georgian Bay, benefiting the construction of Sunnybrook's rooftop helipad.
 
An avid automobile enthusiast and experienced racer, Priestley's support of the prestigious and competitive event, which showcases some of the rarest and most refined automobiles ever made, is a personal one.
 
In 2002, his race car crashed head-on into a wall at nearly 290 kilometres per hour during a final practice run at Kentucky Speedway. He was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Hospital by a helicopter. Priestley attributes the speed of his rescue and the landing on the rooftop of that hospital for saving his life.
 
Thanks to longtime Sunnybrook supporters Rob and Rosemary McLeese, proceeds from the Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sept. 14 will help fund a state-of-the-art helipad on top of Sunnybrook, home to Canada's largest regional trauma centre.
 
Building the rooftop helipad will provide patients a more immediate and direct link to Sunnybrook's trauma care.
 
To find out more about the Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance, visit www.cobblebeachconcours.com.