If you’ve ever wanted to contribute to a good cause while asking Felipe Massa what Schumacher was really like as a teammate or whether Richard Hammond ever considered pushing Clarkson into the sea, then now is your chance.
Hope Classic Rally, which raises money through classic rallies, running events in which owners donate their cars for other enthusiasts to drive, is hosting the “Pitstop With A Star” auction. Bidding will put you in with a chance of having a drink and a chat with some stars of the motorsport scene, but also potentially change the life of someone in southern or eastern Africa.
The organisation’s previous rallies have already raised more than £1.3 million for WeSeeHope, which aims to create sustainable change for vulnerable children. Programmes include training in business and entrepreneurial skills, supporting community ventures, improving financial security and providing education.
The Pitstop With A Star auctions meanwhile include some big names, including Formula 1 stars Jenson Button and Felipe Massa, multiple Indycar champ Dario Franchitti, as well as commentator David “Crofty” Croft, and the aforementioned presenter Richard Hammond, and professional rugby player Lewis Moody.
Given the complication of in-person activities right now the meetings will be over Zoom, but each auction will allow nine of your friends to log in with you, so if you fancy bidding as a syndicate then it’ll benefit both you and the charity, which seems like a win-win scenario.
Of course, if you don’t fancy virtually rubbing shoulders with racing drivers then the Pitstop With A Star auction page will also simply let you donate to several individual causes, including supporting children learning about their rights, providing pre-school education, helping to build a school, or aiding with financial security through community banking skills.
And if none of the auctions interest you, there’s still a chance to donate your classic for this year’s Hope Classic Rally event in late June – by which time we’ll hopefully be out the other side of lockdown and able to enjoy it.
