Le Mans Memorabilia on the Starting Grid

SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 7 -- If the smell of burning rubber does for you what coffee does for the rest of us, then an auction of Le Mans and related memorabilia will be the perfect cup of tea.

With 150 lots up for sale -- comprising books, posters, programs, tickets, limited edition prints and thousands of photographs covering the history of the famous race -- it is arguably the largest collection of its type ever assembled in Australia.

Le Mans entered automotive folklore following the 'Le Mans 1955 Catastrophe' which claimed 80 lives, making it the worst accident in the history of motor racing. As a result of the incident Mercedes withdrew from motor racing for more than 30 years. One of the drivers who narrowly avoided injury was the legendary Argentinean, Juan Manuel Fangio.

The auction will be held by Charles Leski Auctions on Thursday, September 28. The pre-sale estimate is $50,000.

Auctioneer Charles Leski says the owner is a passionate motoring aficionado who achieved his aim of compiling one of the most significant collections of Le Mans memorabilia in the world. To many, Le Mans is the holy grail of motor racing, and Mr Leski expects spirited bidding from Europe, Asia and the United States as well as Australia.

  Among the notable items for sale:

  * 1927 Le Mans Program
    Extremely rare.  It was the year that Bentley won having withdrawn from
    Le Mans two years earlier after disappointing results.  [Pre-sale
    estimate:  $1,000-$1,500]

  * Le Mans Newspapers
    Fabulous collection of newspapers, and supplements from 1938-2000 (more
    than 315 items).including a very detailed section on the 1955 Le Mans
    Catastrophe.  [Pre-sale estimate:  $1,000-$1,500]

  * Photographs
    Huge collection of photographs from approx. 1969-2000 (more than 2,500
    items).  Contained in 18 albums featuring the cars and races.  [Pre-sale
    estimate:  $400-$800].

  * Official Le Mans Posters
    Significant collection of 32 posters from 1982.   [Pre-sale estimate:
    $400-$800].

  These lots are among more than 1,000 items of sporting collectibles,
  memorabilia, wine and ephemera to be offered for sale over two nights.

  NEXT AUCTIONS:  Wednesday, September 27th from 6.30pm and Thursday,
  September 28th from 6.30pm
                               13 Cato Street, Hawthorn East
                               Catalogue can be viewed at www.leski.com.au
                               Tel: 61-3-9864-9999

  Issued by:                   Charles Leski, Charles Leski Auctions
                               Tel: 61-3-9864-9999
                               charles@leski.com.au
                               www.leski.com.au

                               Michael Krape, Michael Krape Consulting
                               Tel:  61-403-135-880
                               michaelkrape@krape.com.au