F1 auctions to benefit children of Sept 11 tragedy

[steve nielsen]

F1 auctions to benefit children of Sept 11 tragedy
2001-10-31 09:17:00


Driver helmets, suits to be auctioned on eBay to help terrorist attack victims

Auctions of Formula One driver suits and helmets, including race suits worn by Jos Verstappen and Enrique Bernoldi at the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will start Wednesday, Oct. 31 at eBay.com, with all proceeds going to charities that assist children of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

All 22 drivers who competed in the SAP United States Grand Prix on Sept. 30 donated a helmet or driver's suit for the auction. Most items were donated immediately after the race, and include safety equipment worn by all three USGP podium finishers. Seven drivers have donated items that were used at both the USGP and the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix on Oct. 14.

Each item will be listed in a separate auction at the online auction site, www.ebay.com. Direct links to all of the auction listings are available on the official site of the SAP United States Grand Prix, www.usgpindy.com. Auctions will start by team in a staggered format beginning at 3 p.m. (GMT) Oct. 31 with the Ferrari driver items. Each auction will last for 10 days from the time it begins, ending Nov. 10.

All donations were coordinated through the Grand Prix Drivers Association and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Tony George.

"Thanks to these generous donations from members of the GPDA, F1 fans have the opportunity to purchase very unique pieces of Formula One history and simultaneously lend support to children who tragically lost parents due to the attacks on the America," George said. "We were pleased that the SAP United States Grand Prix successfully served as an entertaining escape from the realities of the moment, and now thanks to the cooperation of the GPDA and eBay, we can do our part to help rebuild lives of children touched by these tragedies."

Each Grand Prix driver helmet or suit won in the auctions will come with a certificate of authenticity from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A charitable contribution tax deduction may be available for collectors who purchase these items. The deduction would be equal to the excess of what is paid over the fair market value of each item. See eBay for more details.



The following items will go on auction Oct. 31 at eBay.com:

Driver Item
Michael Schumacher Helmet
Rubens Barrichello Driver suit
Mika Hakkinen Driver suit
David Coulthard Driver suit
Ralf Schumacher Helmet
Juan Pablo Montoya Driver suit
Giancarlo Fisichella Helmet
Jenson Button Helmet
Olivier Panis Driver suit
Jacques Villeneuve Driver suit
Jean Alesi Driver suit
Jarno Trulli Driver suit
Jos Verstappen Driver suit
Enrique Bernoldi Driver suit
Nick Heidfeld Driver suit
Kimi Raikkonen Driver suit
Eddie Irvine Driver suit
Pedro de la Rosa Driver suit
Fernando Alonso Driver suit
Alex Yoong Driver suit
Heinz-Harald Frentzen Driver suit
Tomas Enge Driver suit