Racing memorabilia auction raises $500K for Justin Wilson family

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The eBay charity auction to raise money for the family of the late IndyCar driver Justin Wilson topped $500,000 on more than 500 items for bid.

Wilson died after he was struck in the head by a piece of debris during an IndyCar race at Pocono Raceway in August. The British driver was 37 and left behind a wife and two young daughters.

Organizers say the auction raised $546,967 on 509 items. IndyCar 2015 series champion Scott Dixon’s used and autographed race helmet sold for $18,200. Three-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton had a race-worn firesuit go for $16,100.

There were private auctions of helmets from Graham Rahal and Wilson teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay, and another private auction run by journalist Will Buxton, that put the final amount raised at $637,067.94. All net proceeds were donated to the Wilson Children’s Fund.