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YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Wheldon auction raises more than $600,000 for fund

    By JENNA FRYER | Associated Press – Fri, Jan 13, 2012

    An auction dedicated to the late British racing driver Dan Wheldon has raised more than $600,000 that will go to his wife and two young sons.

    The final total of $627,203 was released Friday by organizers of the Dan Wheldon Auction. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was killed in an accident in the Oct. 16 IndyCar season finale.

    "From the very beginning, I have been so overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy and the unwavering support of Dan's friends, his fans and from the racing community," Wheldon's wife, Susie, said in a statement. "When Graham (Rahal) reached out to me with the auction total today, I was very touched by everyone's generosity. I want everyone to know how grateful I am and how much I appreciate everyone's kindness and their love.

    "It means the world to our family, and I hope one day to personally thank all those who donated and purchased the auction items."

    IndyCar driver Graham Rahal announced after the accident that he planned to auction his helmet from the race and donate the proceeds to Wheldon's family. As word spread about his gesture, the entire racing community began donating items for Rahal to auction.

    Within a few days, the auction grew too big for Rahal to handle alone and he enlisted help. GoDaddy.com connected Rahal with eBay, which waived all fees, while Auction Cause, a Los Angeles-based auction management agency also provided help. Rahal, girlfriend Laken Kurtz and Beccy Gordon, the wife of IndyCar driver Ryan Hunter-Reay, meanwhile had a conference call to figure out how to publicize the auction.

    Among the big-ticket items were a helmet from five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, a Wheldon tribute helmet from Danica Patrick, a Tour de France jersey from Lance Armstrong and a surfboard from Kelly Slater.

    Johnson bid on and won a helmet from Bobby Rahal, and four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti won the helmets of IndyCar drivers Ryan Briscoe and teammate Scott Dixon.

    The auction did run into a snag: Several items were never paid for and had to be reposted late last month. All proceeds went to a trust fund established by IndyCar for Wheldon's family.

    "I can't thank you all enough for your support of the Wheldon's," Graham Rahal posted on Twitter in announcing the final auction total. "It means the world to see all of you rally around and support them like this."

     

    4 comments

    • Tool
      Tool  •  4 mths ago
      He was a millionaire why would they have to raise money.
    • Air Force Man
      Air Force Man  •  4 mths ago
      It will seem weird with Weldon at Indy this year.
    • Linda
      Linda  •  Elkhart, Indiana  •  4 mths ago
      Why is the family so secretive about Dan's burial site. There are a lot of fans that would like to know. After all, even Elvis's burial site is known. Sorry I just think that after all the donations and all the out poring of grief from the fans, it's in poor taste. I'm sure a lot of fans that couldn't afford it gave, and she is a millionaire.
    • Jim
      Jim  •  4 mths ago
      I remember j---a---c---king off to the picture that shows her sweaty, glistening b---oo---b---ies.
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