1999 Jean Alesi Race Used Canadian Grand Prix Sauber Bieffe F1 Helmet
Few times in F1 history has the ultimate prize in F1 memorabilia, a driver's helmet, been thrown into the crowd. Well, this actually happened in 1999 when Jean Alesi threw his shiny Bieffe helmet into a grandstand full of his adoring, cheering fans in Montreal at the scene of his only Grand Prix victory just four years earlier.
Claude Labrecque, a French Canadian F1 fan, was sitting at the casino hairpin during qualifying with his usual group of seven friends who attend the race each year. Labrecque explains what he witnessed to us: "Alesi had come to a halt after being involved in a three-car collision just in front of our seats. As people were shouting his name to congratulate him, as they would have during his 1995 victory here in Montreal, Alesi ran across the track and threw his helmet into the crowd. To my knowledge he is certainly one of a few, if not the only F1 driver, to do this. At 6'5" and having played volleyball for many years, I might have had an advantage over my neighbors as I jumped as high as I could and caught the helmet. The pile-up was huge but, after a few minutes and after being protected by my friends, I emerged with the helmet"
Amazingly Labrecque didn't do what most folks would do next and immediately turn around and sell the helmet for cash. He was fortunate enough that he didn't need the money, and having attended the Canadian GP's for twenty years in a row, this would become his ultimate reward. It was the only F1 helmet he would ever own and he kept it as a memento of the great day for over another twenty years.
Just recently Labrecque contacted Hall of Fame Collection to say he was ready for it to go to a new home. We are honored to have acquired this extremely rare piece of F1 history and today one lucky collector will get the opportunity to acquire "The Alesi Helmet" of helmets.
This lightweight Bieffe helmet was painted at the time by Californian company Troy Lee Designs in the customary Alesi design, but with a very special chrome finish. It was extremely rare at the time to see a chrome helmet paint job on an F1 driver's helmet, a style which hasn't been replicated very much since. This particular one with its history would be a truly standout piece in anyone's collection.
The helmet comes complete with original radio still attached and some signs of track grime and chips from the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix event. It was also used at the Monaco and Spanish Grands Prix earlier that season. The helmet comes with a handwritten letter from Labrecque, original press purchased photo, negatives, and newspaper cutting of Alesi throwing the helmet into the crowd. At the time several images of Labrecque making his amazing catch were both printed and featured in Autosport and F1 Racing magazines which also come with the helmet. The original program, actual race tickets showing the location of Labrecque's seats, and a few more souvenirs (pictured) complete this very nice package.
You will not see a better-documented helmet with such a famous story behind it made available again. Don't miss out on your one and only chance to acquire this great piece of F1 history.
The helmet comes with a full Certificate Of Authenticity.
Claude Labrecque, a French Canadian F1 fan, was sitting at the casino hairpin during qualifying with his usual group of seven friends who attend the race each year. Labrecque explains what he witnessed to us: "Alesi had come to a halt after being involved in a three-car collision just in front of our seats. As people were shouting his name to congratulate him, as they would have during his 1995 victory here in Montreal, Alesi ran across the track and threw his helmet into the crowd. To my knowledge he is certainly one of a few, if not the only F1 driver, to do this. At 6'5" and having played volleyball for many years, I might have had an advantage over my neighbors as I jumped as high as I could and caught the helmet. The pile-up was huge but, after a few minutes and after being protected by my friends, I emerged with the helmet"
Amazingly Labrecque didn't do what most folks would do next and immediately turn around and sell the helmet for cash. He was fortunate enough that he didn't need the money, and having attended the Canadian GP's for twenty years in a row, this would become his ultimate reward. It was the only F1 helmet he would ever own and he kept it as a memento of the great day for over another twenty years.
Just recently Labrecque contacted Hall of Fame Collection to say he was ready for it to go to a new home. We are honored to have acquired this extremely rare piece of F1 history and today one lucky collector will get the opportunity to acquire "The Alesi Helmet" of helmets.
This lightweight Bieffe helmet was painted at the time by Californian company Troy Lee Designs in the customary Alesi design, but with a very special chrome finish. It was extremely rare at the time to see a chrome helmet paint job on an F1 driver's helmet, a style which hasn't been replicated very much since. This particular one with its history would be a truly standout piece in anyone's collection.
The helmet comes complete with original radio still attached and some signs of track grime and chips from the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix event. It was also used at the Monaco and Spanish Grands Prix earlier that season. The helmet comes with a handwritten letter from Labrecque, original press purchased photo, negatives, and newspaper cutting of Alesi throwing the helmet into the crowd. At the time several images of Labrecque making his amazing catch were both printed and featured in Autosport and F1 Racing magazines which also come with the helmet. The original program, actual race tickets showing the location of Labrecque's seats, and a few more souvenirs (pictured) complete this very nice package.
You will not see a better-documented helmet with such a famous story behind it made available again. Don't miss out on your one and only chance to acquire this great piece of F1 history.
The helmet comes with a full Certificate Of Authenticity.