Valvoline Online Racing Auction Fuels the Fire for Racing Collectibles
29 April 2000
Valvoline Online Racing Auction Fuels the Fire for Racing Collectibles
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BW SportsWire)--April 28, 2000--Big Brothers Big Sisters
Race fans with a passion for one-of-a-kind memorabilia and a yearning to experience high-RPM racing excitement can rev up their computers from April 28 to May 23 to bid on dream racing items and experiences during the Valvoline Online Racing Auction benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA).
The Valvoline Online Racing Auction, hosted by eBay, offers fans a chance to bid on a private, pedal-to-the-metal driving lesson from NASCAR superstar Mark Martin, a $2,000 scholarship to Clemson University's motorsports program, an electric golf car customized with the Valvoline No. 6 paint scheme and experience NASCAR excitement trackside as an honorary pit crew member for Jeff Burton. From Friday, April 28 to Tuesday, May 23, bidders can visit the charity auction site on www.ebay.com, or enter through www.valvoline.com, to bid on these unique items and much more.
Auction items range from autographed photographs, crew shirts and car parts to an opportunity to drive with Mark Martin and be an honorary member of his pit crew. The auction includes items from NASCAR, NHRA, IRL, CART and Formula One.
Payment by successful bidders can be made through Billpoint, eBay's just-introduced credit card payment system. Billpoint has waived fees for the Valvoline Online Racing Auction.
"Whether you're a serious collector or a casual race fan, my racing colleagues and I have donated hundreds of unique items to appeal to any fan and to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters," said Martin, who was named an honorary Big Brother in 1999.
Proceeds from the Valvoline Online Racing Auction will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters' School-based Mentoring program. BBBSA has been America's most widely-known youth mentoring organization for almost 100 years. Through its innovative school-based mentoring program volunteer mentors are matched with students by the school systems. Studies show meeting at school significantly increases students' positive attitudes toward their education, their peers, adults -- and themselves. Volunteer "Bigs" have influenced the lives of millions of children across the country by serving as friends and role models to children in need.
"You can always tell the guys who use Valvoline, because they want to give something back to their community," said James O'Brien, president of Valvoline. "The Valvoline Online Racing Auction gives the Valvoline guy, and all race fans, the opportunity to bid on some of their dream items but, even more importantly, it raises funding and awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America."
"With the support of two wonderful partners like Valvoline and eBay, we will be able to raise funds to help support local Big Brothers Big Sisters School-based Mentoring programs," said Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO of BBBSA. "Partnerships like this help us provide the critical resources so necessary to increase the number of quality, one-to-one relationships."
About the "Caring Hands" Program
The Valvoline Online Racing Auction allows Valvoline and eBay, the world's first motor oil and the world's first online person-to-person trading community, to continue their commitment to BBBSA.
Valvoline's "Caring Hands" partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), has a goal of raising $1 million for BBBSA (more that $200,000 to date) while recruiting new volunteer mentor "Bigs" for the organization. The "Caring Hands" program is the most ambitious cause-related endeavor Valvoline has undertaken in its 133-year history. The program includes trackside fund-raisers at Winston Cup auto races and cash contributions to the program based on Martin's on-track performance.
For more information about BBBSA or for local agency information check out their Web site www.bbbsa.org or contact the National Office at 215-567-7000.
The Valvoline Company, a division of Ashland Inc., has been serving American motorists longer than any other motor oil company and is a leading innovator and supplier of quality, high-performing automotive and industrial products in more than 140 countries. Best known for its lubricants, Valvoline also markets Eagle One appearance products, Zerex antifreeze, SynPower Performance Products and Pyroil automotive chemicals. The company also has a stake in the growing quick-lube market with its Valvoline Instant Oil Change unit. Valvoline is a member of the Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) family of companies. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.valvoline.com.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) has been the nationally recognized leader in youth mentoring for almost 100 years. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides meaningful mentoring relationships for millions of children through its more than 500 affiliated agencies reaching 5,000 communities. National research studies prove that children with a Big Brother or Big Sister have more positive attitudes towards school, achieve higher grades and have better school attendance. In addition, these children are less likely to use drugs and alcohol and exhibit violent behavior. For more information, visit the BBBSA Web site at www.bbbsa.org.
eBay (www.ebay.com), the world's personal trading community(TM) pioneered person-to-person online trading. Founded in 1995, eBay has developed an efficient and entertaining trading site on the Web that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. eBay has more than 7.7 million registered users. eBay members add more than 375,000 items to the site daily in more than 2,900 categories, including: automobiles; antiques; books, movies and music; coins and stamps; collectibles; computers; dolls and figures; jewelry and gemstones; photo and electronics; pottery and glass; sports memorabilia and toys.