CELEBRITIES, INDUSTRY ICONS AND LUMINARIES GATHER AT BARRETT-JACKSON TO CELEBRATE THE AUTOMOTIVE LIFESTYLE AND RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY
- Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction becomes a gathering place of high-profile celebrities
- Industry icons and other luminaries raise millions for charity through the power of the Barrett-Jackson auction block
- The automotive lifestyle event turns the desert into a star-studded party
Singer-songwriter Ceelo Green and canine companion at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale yesterday.
SCOTTSDALE – Jan. 17, 2015 – Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, has become the gathering place of celebrities, sports stars, captains of industry and other luminaries to meet and raise money for charity. Almost $3 million dollars has already been raised for worthy causes by an incredible group of superstars at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Ariz. More celebrity-connected vehicles are set to cross the block over the next two days.
“Barrett-Jackson has evolved into the ultimate celebration of the high-octane lifestyle,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Much like the Formula One circuit, Kentucky Derby and the Superbowl, Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale attracts some of the brightest stars on the movie screen, on the playing court and field, as well as the corporate world.”
Some of the biggest names include four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, TV star Richard Rawlings, actress Sharon Stone, NFL star Patrick Petersen, and local businessman Ron Pratte. The list of luminaries who have attended this year’s event also include:
- Michael Anthony
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio
- Alice Cooper
- Shane Doane
- Jacoby Ellsbury
- CeeLo Green
- Chip Ganassi
- Rick Hendrick
- Reggie Jackson
- Sterling Moss
- Actor Frankie Muniz
- Don Prudhomme
- Bobby Rahal
- John Schneider
- Bill Simpson
- Paul Teutel
- Linda Vaughn
In addition to those top names, Ford Motor Company CEO Mark Fields and Doug Ducey, governor of Arizona will also be onsite.
During the first few days of the auction, four cars have direct connections to these celebrities. Sharon Stone and Linda Vaughn sold a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst Coupe (Lot# 3004) for $140,000 with all proceeds benefitting the cancer research fund at TGEN in memory of Russ and Brian Jackson. Bubba Watson sold a custom 1939 Cadillac LaSalle C-Hawk Custom Roadster (Lot# 3005) for $410,000 to benefit Birdies for the Brave, which helps American veterans. A 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Busch Series stock car from the legendary duo of Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham (Lot# 3007) secured $500,000 for the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.
Manufacturers are also a big part of the auction’s fundraising activities. General Motors donated the first retail 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible (Lot #3006), which raised $800,000 for United Way, and the retail production unit 2016 Cadillac CTS-V (Lot #3003) brought $410,000 for the College for Creative Studies. A 2015 BMW 30th Anniversary M5 – Special Edition (Lot# 3002) purchased by racing powerhouse Rick Hendrick for $700,000 to benefit the non-profit BMW Car Club of America Foundation, which has an active “Street Survival” teen driving program. Ford’s donation of the first production unit of the new generation Shelby GT350 (Lot #3008) will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Ron Pratte will auction his incredible 1950 GM Futurliner (Lot #2501) to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation. Pratte, a Vietnam Veteran, chose to benefit AFF as it was established to protect and promote the physical, mental and emotional wellness of military service members, veterans and their families.
“Not only do the rich and famous come here to rub shoulders with their peers, they also leverage the incredible international power of the Barrett-Jackson brand to raise money for great causes,” said Jackson. “We’re humbled to have the opportunity to join them and have such a positive impact on the lives of so many.”
For more information on becoming a bidder, follow the link to .
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, is the leader in collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events. The company produces auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Beach, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Reno-Tahoe, Nevada. With broadcast partners Velocity and Discovery Channel, Barrett-Jackson will feature 100 hours of live television coverage in 2015, including broadcasts in over 100 countries internationally. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit , or call 480-421-6694.
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Media Contacts:
Corporate Communications Automotive PR
Rodney Scearce Aaron Cook
Barrett-Jackson Senior Media Relations Supervisor TimePiece PR & Marketing
480-306-8253 (214) 520-3430
RScearce@barrett-jackson.com ACook@TPRM.com