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Special Report: eBay Hosts Valvoline Racing Auction

14 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Mark Martin and Valvoline have announced the Valvoline Online Racing Auction will be hosted by www.eBay.com for three weeks, from April 28-May 20. Combining resources from Martin, Valvoline, Roush Racing and others, fans will have the opportunity to bid on a large selection of racing memorabilia ranging from autographed photos to travel packages. Some items, including the chance to be an honorary Martin pit crew member and dinner with five-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Joe Amato, can be previewed now at the Valvoline.com web site.

Auction proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's school-based mentoring program, which aims to develop a strong mentor-child relationship within the school context.

"I know what my dad meant to me when I was growing up and I know how lost I would be had I lost him at an earlier age," said Martin. "I think everyone who thinks about it can recognize the importance of having an adult influence in a kid's life. The kids are our future. This is something that's very important to me.

"To be able to make a difference in people's lives is really meaningful to me. I'm grateful to Valvoline for their support of this project. I think the auction is going to be very successful. We're calling on all our contacts in motorsports, not just in Winston Cup, for items that will help us and give the fans what they want. Through all this, we hope not only to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, but also raise the awareness and get more people to volunteer and get involved."

Now in its second year, this "Caring Hands" program has raised more than $250,000. Valvoline contributes $5,000 for each Martin Winston Cup win, $2,500 for a pole position, $1,000 for a top-five finish, and $20 for each lap led. The next trackside fundraiser, where fans can participate by tracing their handprints on the "Caring Hands" wall and receive a commemorative Martin button for a small donation, will be April 1 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Text provided by Michael A. Knight

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.