Winning Bidder Drives Maserati Cars, Gains VIP Access for Trofeo and INDY Racing Weekend – All Proceeds to Support Parkinson’s Research and Patient Care
Maserati of Walnut Creek, sponsor of the 2013 Danville d’Elegance (DDE) Concours and Tour d’Elegance, will be showcasing its ongoing support for the DDE organization, through an eBay auction offering the bidding winner exclusive involvement within the dealership’s role during the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series weekend, to be held at Sonoma Raceway, August 24th. All auction proceeds will benefit DDE’s charity which supports Parkinson’s research and patient care. More specific auction information and ability to bid on this package can be found at www.danville-delegance.org.
The Maserati Trofeo MC World Series, designed for ‘Gentleman Drivers’ has taken place in Europe and the Middle East since 2002, and for the second year the championship series will include the Sonoma race weekend within its global schedule of events. This year’s Trofeo race will be a support program to the INDYCAR series during the ‘GoPro INDY Grand Prix of Sonoma’ race weekend August 23-25. Maserati of Walnut Creek will hold an exclusive event including a rally drive to/from the raceway, VIP hospitality within Maserati of North America’s private suites and viewing access to both the Trofeo races and the INDYCAR program. (For photos, please view: http://www.danville-delegance.org/TrofeoAuction)
According to Mario Biundo, President of Maserati of Walnut Creek, the Trofeo Series showcases the developmental advancements of the GranTurismo road car within a racing version. The auction involvement will allow a true enthusiast to drive the most advanced Maserati road car available and enjoy the excitement and VIP experience that only Maserati can provide. The eBay auction, which begins on Friday, August 2nd and lasts for seven days, will include:
- Ability for winner and guest to drive a 2013/14 Maserati vehicle Saturday, August 24th, during Maserati of Walnut Creek rally to/from Sonoma Raceway (either Quattroporte/GT-S or GTC)
- VIP access (for 2) to Maserati North America VIP hospitality area during the Maserati Trofeo Series and INDYCAR events at Sonoma Raceway, August 24-25
- Auction winner (and 1 guest) would need to provide own transportation to/from Maserati of Walnut Creek dealership 8/24, and provide own transportation to/from Sonoma Raceway 8/25
“Our involvement with DDE this year will extend far past a charity auction and the upcoming Concours,” said Biundo. “We’ll be adding DDE as a sponsor to our Maserati of Walnut Creek Trofeo car so that the Danville d’Elegance program will be recognized by all members of the racing community who participate during the race weekend. Our partnership is based on passion for both a brand AND an important cause.”
The Maserati brand first became involved with the Danville d’Elegance Foundation in 2008 in memory of legendary Formula One Champion and friend, Phil Hill, who drove his first Grand Prix more than 50 years before in a Maserati 250F. Mr. Hill was an ardent supporter and participant in the Danville d’Elegance Foundation until he succumbed to Parkinson’s in 2008. He continues to be honored each year during the Danville weekend, specifically through the theme of the annual ‘Tour’ entitled “Legends of Racing, Heroes of Parkinson’s.”
Now in its 9th consecutive year, the Danville d’Elegance (DDE) Foundation has earned national recognition as a “Top 3” fundraiser for Team Fox, the globally renowned grassroots community fundraising arm for The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), benefitting Parkinson’s research. Over the past three years, DDE has contributed more than a half million dollars to Team Fox, and for 2013 raised more than $330,000 to benefit both the Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Parkinson’s Institute, a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based patient care facility.
