A race to help kids diagnosed with cancer

Dominic wears a bright knitted beanie. Quinn has a yellow flower tucked behind her right ear. Archie's big blue eyes sparkle. Sheldon wears a white bow and a warm smile.

These are the faces of children from right across Australia, diagnosed with cancer, who spend their days in and out of hospital for gruelling treatment.

Race driver Jimmy Vernon is carrying their stories and determination with him during the final round of the Australian Production Cars Championship in the Bathurst International at Mount Panorama this weekend.

Photos of 15 children aged between 20 months and 12 years are emblazoned on the roof of Vernon's sleek red and black Mitsubishi Evo X.

Vernon, 25, got teary after qualifying first in his class on the legendary track on Friday morning, knowing he had the children riding with him.

"It's completely changed the way I perceive my racing," he told AAP. 

"I think about them, what we're doing and how we're racing; we are racing for the kids and it's more special when we get a good result.

"They're pushing me along."

Vernon wore the image of a local child on the back of his helmet at previous rounds in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, and invited their families to join him on race days.

"It's life-changing to hear the stories about what some of these kids are going through," he said.

"But they still turn up to visit us at the racetrack and they're so excited, they've got so much spirit. 

"I can't begin to imagine how hard it would be going through some of these treatments but they're little warriors."

Vernon and his team will donate 20 per cent of all corporate sponsorship to the Kids With Cancer Foundation.

The foundation gives families money for bills and groceries, creates care packages for children's hospitals and provides wigs for those who have lost their hair during treatment.

It has also funded social workers at hospitals and the Bear Cottage hospice in Manly, Sydney.

Vernon, who has been racing for a decade, spent years building a following and realised he needed to look outwards.

"I felt a bit selfish doing all this self-promotion.

"When I sat down with the foundation and saw the kids' beautiful smiles, I didn't have to think twice.

"Some of them don't even get a chance, they're born into a life of treatments and fighting cancer. It just broke my heart.

"This is where I need to be because these kids are the heroes in my eyes."