Car Art Goes on the Block
25 May 1999
MOBILIA.COM TO HOST AUCTION OF CUSTOM-PAINTED RACE CAR HOOD Proceeds to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation MIDDLEBURY, VT-May 20, 1999-Mobilia.com, the online home for America's car culture and the innovator in online auctions, today announced plans to host a charity auction in conjunction with race car driver Larry DuLude to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Immediately following the completion of the Memorial Day Neon Challenge race at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn., DuLude will auction off the custom-painted hood from his "Art-On Neon" race car. A preview of the auction is available now at www.mobilia.com Silent auction bidding on the site will begin May 30 and end on June 6,1999. "Automobilia collectors love racing memorabilia because of the energy, excitement and value that is associated with these objects," said Eric H. Killorin, founder and CEO of Mobilia.com. "We have all kinds of racing memorabilia and collectibles at Mobilia.com. People are bidding on racing posters and photographs, die-cast models of their favorite driver's car, autographed biographies of famous racing champions, and more." DuLude will be seeking a return to victory lane at Lime Rock, having won the race in 1996. The hood will sport a racing/Americana design painted by Connecticut artist Allen Degreenia, who has also designed album covers for the Max Creek band and the Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival. "This is a great way to raise money for a worthwhile cause," said Larry DuLude. "Over the years, I've seen many race fans leave the track with used race tires or crumpled sheet metal from a race crash. Now they can log onto Mobilia.com and bid on a one-of-a-kind work-of-art. Hopefully the hood won't have any major dents!" The Dodge Neon Challenge series is for 'showroom stock' cars that have only had minimal alterations for racing. DuLude has driven in the Neon Challenge for the past three years, winning the Class B Championship in 1996. DuLude will draw on his experience with the 1.53-mile Lime Rock track and strive to take his "Art-On Neon" car to the front of the pack again this year. The "Art-On Neon" is a standard Dodge Neon that has been modified for racing with special suspension and safety equipment such as a racing seat, a roll cage, and 6-point safety belts. The Neon Challenge is a series of four races, held on two weekends, Memorial Day at Lime Rock, Conn., and July 11, 1999 at Elkhart Lake, Wis. About Larry DuLude Larry DuLude has been racing since 1980. He won the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) New York Region Formula Vee Championship in 1981 and 1982. He competed in the Renault Cup from 1982 to 1985, and ran in International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in 1985 and 1986. DuLude has been competing in SCCA Showroom Stock races since 1991, qualifying and running in the National Run-Offs each Fall. In 1995, DuLude formed a partnership with Tim Marren to race a Neon Coupe. In their second race, the pair finished seventh in a field of 53 starters at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. DuLude captured the SSB Neon Challenge Championship in 1996, with two wins along the way. In 1997, the team took third in the Championship, with strong runs at Lime Rock and Road America. In 1998, DuLude was 2nd in one race at Lime Rock, and 4th on Memorial Day.