Drive4Smiles 2026 on June 20 at Rocky Mountain Motorsports

[CarreraGT]

Join Me in Bringing Drive for Smiles to Calgary – June 20 at Rocky Mountain Motorsports

 

Introducing Drive for Smiles (D4S) 2nd event in Calgary!

I helped organize a new charitable event last year called Drive 4 Smiles. This year they made me the Chairperson for Calgary's event. It's put on by the Starlight Foundation who organize and supply in-hospital and out patient programs for sick kids at the Childrens' Hospital. The Drive 4 Smiles events in Canada started in Montreal and Toronto and then added Vancouver a few years ago. It's first Calgary event was last year and they raised $50K which was the most they have ever raised for a first year event. This year's event is on Jun 20, 2026 at Rocky Mountain Motorsports.

I want to thank everyone from the PCA who came out and supported the event last year and made it an amazing success. It was the largest fund raise for a first year event ever! I would like to invite you all to participate this year! The event is on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Rocky Mountain Motorsports.

Please check it out and consider registering at: https://d4scalgary.com/

 

What is Drive for Smiles?

Drive for Smiles is a national charitable initiative run by the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada (https://www.starlightcanada.org/) whose mission is to help sick kids across the country through a blend of programs in the childrens' hospitals and at home. This event brings together car enthusiasts to provide seriously ill children and their families with a day of joy, excitement, and unforgettable memories. Participants offer “dream rides” in their exotic/supercars.  Starlight transforms the area around the track creating a carnival-like atmosphere complete with food trucks, entertainment, and activities for all ages. The Starlight Children's Foundation started in Los Angeles in 1982 by filmmaker Peter Samuelson and actress Emma Samms and has Steven Spielberg is their Chairman Emeritus.

Here is a video from last year's event as an intro to how it is organized. https://youtu.be/1Ji3PDgOs4M

The event has taken place for over 14 years in cities across the country.  Last year’s D4S events in cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver raised over $1,000,000 collectively, benefiting more than 1,000 children and their families. 

It is similar Cardel's Ride of a Lifetime where you give kids 2 or 3 laps in the passenger seat of your car. However there are a lot of differences. Your rides for the entire day will be for the sick kids and their families. There are no rides sold to the general public. We also do not encourage super fast laps. A 50-60% speed lap is fine for the kids to give them a thrill. Many of them are not strong enough for anything faster than 50% IMO. Run groups are separated into experienced and novice drivers so don't worry if you haven't been to the track. You will be put into a group with others that have the same experience so you won't be stressed about holding someone up. The main thing is to give your passengers a fun and safe time and a day to remember to relieve their normal daily stress from their illness. Days like this have been proven to have a significant affect on positive outcomes for the kids recoveries so you will be a big part of that.

 

How You Can Get Involved

The Starlight Foundation is seeking passionate drivers to volunteer their time and vehicles for this incredible cause. By participating, you’ll:

• Provide thrilling rides to children who face daily health challenges.
• Be part of a community event that celebrates compassion and unity.
• Help raise funds to support programs for seriously ill children.

If you own an exotic or cool car and want to use it to create real joy, your presence would mean the world to these families. Please note that rides will be a very safe 50-60% pace in a lead-follow format to maximize safety for the kids and provide a nice thrill. You do not need track experience to drive in this event. If helmets are required the charity will provide them.

The expenses for this event are extremely low. Last year 95% of the money raised went to fund the programs for the kids.

 

Join Us

If you’re interested in participating or would like more information, please visit https://d4scanada.com/  There is a registration page that is now live on this webpage. Let’s come together to make Calgary’s 2nd Drive for Smiles event a huge success!

Thank you for considering this opportunity to give back to our community in such a unique and impactful way.

Note there is a $500 registration fee for each registration. A tax receipt will be emailed to you automatically for your donation.

[Jeremy]

I'm signed up!

[CarreraGT]

Thanks! Please consider registering for this event. I love events like this. It's a low stress way to give back and the kids have so much fun which really improves their mental health. It's so rewarding when the kids have a huge smile when they get out of your car. Plus you get a full day at the track!

[CarreraGT]

You give sick kids and their families low stress highway speed laps in your car in a lead/follow format (ie: no passing). The schedule for the day runs from 9 am for registration to 3 pm when the rides for the sick kids and their families ends. See you there! Register at d4scalgary.com