V8 Supercar - Drivers Launch Public Fund Raiser For Jason Richards
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In an unprecedented show of support, Australian and New Zealand V8 Supercar drivers have rallied together to launch a major public fundraising campaign in aid of their cancer suffering mate and fellow competitor, Jason Richards.
The drivers made the announcement this morning in a moving media conference in Hamilton, New Zealand, where they are racing on its street circuit this weekend.
"We might be fierce competitors out on the track but off the track we are a bunch of like-minded, community driven people who really care for our own," said Kiwi champion Greg Murphy who came up with the idea in conjunction with fellow drivers Garth Tander and Paul Dumbrell.
"Jason Richards is a mate to each and every one of us here in pit lane and as usual he’s going at a million miles an hour – this time to beat cancer.
"GT, PD and myself wanted to create something that every driver in pit lane could get involved in and we came up with bid4jase.com."
Bid4jase.com is an auction website that is selling a wide range of personal, household, sporting and motorsport items donated by the drivers, teams and their wider networks of sponsors, media and supporters. People anywhere in the world can bid for items on the site with net sale proceeds going directly to support Jason’s treatment and other costs while he is away from the V8 circuit.
The auction launched today with approximately 75 donated items being offered for initial sale, including a Holden Cruze Series II donated by GM Holden. An additional 200 donated items will be added for sale across the next month and Murphy said he is expecting the list of items to grow very quickly now the project has been launched.
"We have been thrilled with the number of people and organisations who have come forward to donate items for the auction," said Murphy.
"Now that bid4jase.com is launched, we urge anyone that would like to help Jase to either donate an item to sell or more importantly visit the website and buy something – there’s something there for everyone."
Bid4jase.com branding and promotion will be everywhere this weekend with car branding, track signage, on track and TV commentary mentions plus other supporting activities coming from Hamilton.
Additional Quotes:
Jason Richards: “I’m so overwhelmed by the support of the guys and what bid4jase.com might achieve. The public support at Clipsal and the AGP was so incredible and it’s made me more determined than ever to beat the cancer and get myself back racing full time. Thanks to absolutely everyone for their support.”
Garth Tander – co-founder bid4jase.com and Holden Racing Team race driver: “It’s situations like this that make you stop and appreciate what’s really important in life. I wanted to find a way to really make a difference and think we’ve come up with something pretty simple that will be very powerful in what it can do for Jason and his family.”
Paul Dumbrell – co-founder bid4jase.com and Bottle-O Racing race driver: “JR has been a great mate for a long time and like the other guys, I just wanted to find a way of doing something significant to support him through his treatment. I get asked almost every day of the week to sign posters and donate memorabilia items for all sorts of causes. It just seemed logical for us to take this type of work to another level of support to make a difference for JR and his family.”
Mike Devereux – Chairman and Managing Director GM Holden: “Jason is a wonderful ambassador for GM Holden on both sides of the Tasman and he epitomises everything that our company stands for. Like everyone, we want to help him, Charlotte and his family through his treatment and didn’t hesitate in offering a Holden Cruze for auction by bid4jase.com. We congratulate the drivers on their initiative and encourage everyone to get behind it and help Jason.”
Tony Cochrane – Chairman V8 Supercars: “I’m very proud of our drivers for their leadership and passion to come up with this concept. We all care very deeply for Jason and his family and now, thanks to our drivers, all of us from our generous fans right through to our teams in pit lane, have the opportunity to directly support him.”
Overview – bid4jase.com
Name bid4jase.com
Background In November 2010 V8 Supercar driver, Jason Richards, was diagnosed with Adrenocortical Carcinoma (‘ACC’) – a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Jason is currently undertaking treatment in Australia and will soon depart for the USA in a further bid to combat the disease.
Bid4Jase is a way of harnessing the incredible support Jason has inside and outside of the V8 community, to raise funds for his treatment and to provide for his family during Jason’s absence from the V8 circuit.
The Bid4Jase concept was created by friend James Henderson, with the support of three of Jason’s closest friends and colleagues – Greg Murphy, Garth Tander and Paul Dumbrell.
Bid4Jase has been magnanimously supported by the motorsport community and its corporate partners.
Objective A public fund raising program to support Jason Richards and his family (wife Charlotte and two children - 3 ½ and 17 months) with treatment and other essential costs.
Activation: - Online auction site containing a range of donated items for sale to the general public - Items will attract broad market interest – not just motorsport fans - Auction items donated by V8 Supercar teams, drivers, V8SCA and corporate partners - Auctions to commence on Friday 15 April with items constantly refreshed over a three month period - All proceeds from the auctions to Jason and his family
Auction Item Examples: - Holden Cruze Series II inclusive of on road costs - Trip for two to the Armor All Gold Coast 600 including airfares, corporate hospitality and more - Guitar signed by members of Good Charlotte - Place in the Porsche driver training program - 40” Toshiba television - Greg Murphy driving suit from 2005 Bathurst – as worn in the Murph v Ambrose race shunt
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: DSEG +6138623 2825 Richard King +61417144470 James Henderson +61418310248
