A "priceless piece of Canadian motorsport history" that had been on display at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame has been stolen.
A racing helmet worn by IndyCar driver Greg Moore during his 1998 victory at the Rio 400 in Brazil was swiped from the sports museum on Wednesday afternoon.
Moore was born in New Westminster and grew up in Maple Ridge. He died at the age of 24 during a crash at the 1999 Marlboro 500.
The helmet had been on permanent loan from Moore's parents, Ric and Donna, and is considered "one of the most iconic items in the Hall's motorsport collection."
"While the helmet carries significant monetary value, given its historical rarity, as Moore passed away at just 24 years old, it holds an even deeper significance for the Moore family as a cherished reminder of Greg's life and legacy," read a statement from the hall.
The theft is believed to have taken place on Wednesday afternoon. The suspect is described as a man with a black hat, black pants, blue shirt, grey jacket, white shoes, with a burgundy sports bag.
"That helmet is a part of Greg that we'll never get back," said Moore's father Ric.
"It's not just racing gear, it's a symbol of who he was, the joy he brought to people, and the dreams he chased. Please, if anyone knows where it is, help bring it home. Not just for us, but for everyone who loved Greg and what he stood for."The helmet features a Player's Racing Team and Mercedes logo on the forehead, along with blue and gold checkers, a red and yellow lightning bolt pattern, and a peacock feather-inspired design.
Jason Beck, curator with the Hall of Fame, called the helmet a "a deeply personal and irreplaceable piece of Canadian sports history.
"It represents one of Greg Moore's greatest triumphs and is a lasting symbol of his legacy. We are devastated by this loss and urge anyone with information to come forward."
The theft has been reported to Vancouver Police. Anyone with information about the theft or who recognizes the helmet is asked to contact Vancouver police or the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
Moore's career began with competitive go-karting as a kid, before he graduated to open-wheel racing at the age of 16. Described as a "superstar driver", Moore was positioned to be the next great Canadian racing legend.
Over a period of six years, he competed in 72 Championship Auto Racing Teams races and racked up five career victories, 12 podium finishes, and 33 top-10 results. He finished seventh and fifth overall in CART championship standings in 1997 and 1998 respectively, and had signed a three-year $10 million contract with the Penske racing team and appeared set to make the jump to NASCAR or Formula 1 prior to his death.
Since his passing, the Greg Moore Foundation was established, and he was posthumously inducted to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
The B.C. Sports Hall of Fame explores the history and achievements of sport in B.C. and some of the key figures and names along the way. The attraction is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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