/ by JENNA FRYER
up to date 4:17 p.m. ET Jan. 13, 2012
An auction devoted to the late Dan Wheldon raised more than $600,000 that will go to his spouse and two younger sons.
The final overall of $627,203 was launched Friday by organizers of the Dan Wheldon Auction. the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was killed in an incident in the Oct. 16 IndyCar time of year finale.
“From the very commencing, I have been so overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy and the unwavering support of Dan’s pals, his admirers and from the racing group,” Wheldon’s spouse, Susie, sai&#a hundred in a statement. “When Graham (Rahal) achieved out to me with the auction entire right now, I was very touched by everyone’s generosity. I want everyone to know how grateful I am and how much I take pleasure in everyone’s kindness and their love.
“It signifies the earth to our relatives, and I hope an individual day to personally thank all people who donated and purchased the auction products.”
IndyCar driver Graham Rahal announced after the crash that he prepared to auction his helmet from the race and donate the proceeds to Wheldon’s relatives. As phrase spread about his gesture, the total racing community began donating products for Rahal to auction.
Within a very few days, the auction grew much too large for Rahal to cope with alone. after enlisting facilitate with the auction — GoDaddy.com related Rahal with eBay, which waived all charges, and Auction Induce, a Los Angeles-based auction conduite company — Rahal, girlfriend Laken Kurtz and Beccy Gordon, the wife of IndyCar driver Ryan Hunter-Reay, had a convention call to figure out how to publicize the auction.
Amongst the enormous-ticket objects were a helmet from five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, a Wheldon tribute helmet from Danica Patrick, a Tour de France jersey from Lance Armstrong and a surfboard from Kelly Slater.
Johnson bid on and won a helmet from Bobby Rahal, and four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti won the helmets of IndyCar motorists Ryan Briscoe and teammate Scott Dixon.
The auction &#one hundredi&#a hundred operate into a snag: Various products were never compensated for and had to be reposted late last month. all proceeds went to a rely on fund established by IndyCar for Wheldon’s loved ones.
“I are not able to thank you all enough for your aid of the Wheldon’s,” Graham Rahal posted on Twitter in saying the final auction entire. “It means the earth to see all of you rally aroun&#a hundred and assist them like this.”
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