KIKI "Push Please"

[nrc]

Evidently these stickers are on all the cars to wish Christiano well. Anyone know the story behind it?

http://www.champcarworldseries.com/content/photos/2006/By800/20060811P_0044.jpg

[rabbit]

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/30784/


DA MATTA STICKERS

The Champ Car and Champ Car Atlantic cars are all sporting stickers in support of injured Cristiano da Matta. The stickers feature da Matta's blue- and lime-colored helmet and his family nickname (Kiki) along with the words "Push Please" which refer to a radio transmission all too commonly heard during da Matta's frustrating year and a half driving the uncompetitive Toyota F1 car.

It's no secret that da Matta is one of the best-liked drivers in the Champ Car paddock -- indeed virtually any paddock he's graced during his career, so it's no surprise that a number of drivers including Paul Tracy and Nelson Philippe went one step further and placed the sticker on their helmets and/or HANS devices. Oriol Servia was seen sporting a da Matta hat while Bruno Junqueira, one of da Matta's closest friends, had a unique sticker featuring the Brazilian flag and the words "Get Well Cristiano."

[Fio1]

very cool, where can we get one?

[nrc]

Latest update...
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060811/FREE/60811006/1001

Since his accident, the first several days he was very heavily sedated. They didn't want Cristiano to have any movements. It really limits his brain activity, to let his brain start to recover. After approximately three to four days, this sedation has been removed and currently he's under no sedation in the intensive care unit at the hospital.

Each day he has progressed a little bit more. This morning I've spoken to both Dr. Randall Johnson, the neurosurgeon, as well as the nursing staff. He's making slow but steady progress. He's doing things like purposeful movement. So, for example, if they physically pinch, for example, his left shoulder, he'll take his right hand and localize that and try to remove whatever stimuli is there.

It's a good early sign to the extent that his brain is able to recognize there's something going on over here and move his arm over to the appropriate place.

That being said, he's not doing anything to command. When they ask him, 'Cristiano, open your eyes,' he's still not doing things like that. He's making slow but steady progress. How the future goes is still unknown at this point.

He's been receiving excellent care in the intensive care unit there. We expect that trend to continue. He'll be there for at least two more weeks and then decisions will be made about where to transfer him for more care.
Get well soon, shorty.

[Elmo T]

very cool, where can we get one?


Broadcast showed stickers being handed out to fans. Still haven't seen anyplace selling them (assuming proceeds go to a good cause).

[Wabbit]

You can download the picture for a wallpaper at rusport.com