Troy Lee Designs and Rizla Suzuki’s Álvaro Bautista are showing their on-going support for the relief efforts following the tragic events in Japan earlier this year, by holding an auction for the actual custom painted Shoei helmets worn by Álvaro Bautista during the USGP races in Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
The auction begins today, September 1, and will run for 10 days, ending Sunday, September 11.
You can check out the auction on eBay here.
This beautiful paint-scheme has been created by Troy Lee Designs’ Japanese designer Maki Ushiroyama and features all the flags of the fourteen countries on the MotoGP calendar, with pride of place going to the Japanese ‘Nisshōki’ or ‘Hinomaru’ – as it is more commonly known – on the top of the helmet. The colors of all nations is to represent the global support for Japan following the tragedy in March and an added message in Japanese translates as ‘Ganbare Nippon’, which literally means ‘Cheer up Japan, do your best and don’t give up!’ This is the actual helmet worn and raced at Laguna by Team Rizla Suzuki rider, Álvaro Bautista, and features some road rash after low-siding his Suzuki GSV-R while battling for a top six finish. The helmet is personally signed by Álvaro Bautista and Troy Lee.
Because the helmet was worn by Álvaro at Laguna Seca, where he crashed out of the race, there is visible damage to the shell. The helmet should only be used for display, not to be worn as protection for motorcycle riding, since the integrity is now compromised.
Donations received through your country’s Red Cross or Red Crescent Society will be used for Japanese Red Cross relief and early recovery activities, for example, for the purchase of a set of electric household appliances for people moving into purpose-built temporary houses and the provision of specially-equipped beds for elderly people who requires special care. As of 18 August 2011, JPY 40.6 billion (USD 529 million) has been donated through National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.
Source: Troy Lee Designs
