Champ Car fans from around the world have sent their get-well wishes and support to the injured Cristiano da Matta, but at the Grand Prix of Road America, fans will have two opportunities to show their support for the former champion in a different way.
CARA Charities is holding a Champ Car tailgate party along with a silent auction of Champ Car memorabilia on Friday evening 22 September, with all proceeds from the silent auction going to support da Matta's recovery from head injuries suffered during testing at Road America last month. Silent auction items available include a Newman/Haas Racing team shirt signed by
Sebastien Bourdais and Bruno Junqueira as well as the gloves and shoes worn by Justin Wilson in his Edmonton victory earlier this season.
The next evening, RuSPORT and CARA Charities will conduct the CARA Cruise for Cristiano, where the public can ride their bicycles alongside the stars of the Champ Car World Series around the Road America layout. Fans attending the race are encouraged to bring their personal bicycles to join Champ Car and Atlantic series stars for the ride.
Long-time CARA Charities and Champ Car supporter
Bridgestone is donating unique signed racing memorabilia to Friday's auction as well as a brand-new Bridgestone transit bicycle, a folding model not normally available in the USA.
In addition, Bridgestone is donating a weekend Champ Car race package for auction on Ebay. The weekend includes four three-day admission and paddock passes to the Champ Car Grand Prix of Road America, four tickets to the CARA Champ Car tailgate party, four Fast Lap Pace Car rides, four passes to the Bridgestone hospitality compound on Sunday as well as Bridgestone race wear.
