Wilson Children's Fund Auctions Net More than $600,000

Final figures are in for the Wilson Children's Fund online auction and more than a half-million dollars was raised selling more than 500 items on eBay. Paired with a few private auction items, a total of $637,067.49 has been collected to benefit the wife and daughters of Verizon IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson, who died Aug. 24 from injuries sustained in a race a day earlier.

In all, more than 13,000 bids were made on the 509 items - ranging from racing, sports and entertainment memorabilia to one-of-a-kind experiences - available through the eBay auction over a seven-week span. The winning bids totaled $546,947.09. Another $74,000 was raised through private auctions for race-worn helmets from drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay and Graham Rahal.

An additional $16,100 came via efforts from NBCSN Formula One and occasional Verizon IndyCar Series reporter Will Buxton, who arranged for a second Lewis Hamilton firesuit to go to someone who lost out on the F1 driver's firesuit in the eBay auction but agreed to match the winning bid if another suit was made available.

"I am very proud of the effort that everyone put in for the Justin Wilson memorial auction," said Rahal, who orchestrated the auction in conjunction with Auction Cause and eBay and also donated items for bid. "It is always amazing that in the toughest of times, an entire world of racing, and sports in general, can come together and create something as special as this.

"I know that, for (Wilson's wife) Julia and the girls, no amount of money will ever reduce the pain they feel, but I hope through this we can create some stability in their lives to help them towards a brighter future. Justin was a special man to all of us, and he will forever be missed."

The $637,000 figure does not include funds raised through ongoing sales of Wilson tribute T-shirts and decals through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (http://shop.ims.com/indycar) or direct donations made to the Wilson Children's Fund (http://justinwilson.co.uk/donate or by mail to: Wilson Children's Fund, c/o Forum Credit Union, PO Box 50738, Indianapolis, IN 46250-0738). Figures from those charitable efforts are forthcoming, but total donations to the fund are expected to exceed $700,000.

The National Motorsports Press Association recently awarded its third quarter Spirit Award in honor of Wilson. The award recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports.

Contact:

mkitchel@indycar.com

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