The Australian and international motorcycle communities have thrown their support behind the Suzuki Victorian Bushfire Charity Auction, following last week’s announcement of the online auction which will donate net proceeds to the Australian Red Cross. Messages of support from motorcycle enthusiasts, the local motorcycle industry and global Suzuki distributors and partners have flowed in, with the auction starting in just over a fortnight. Additional items have also been confirmed, with over 30 exclusive experiences and rare pieces of memorabilia set to go under the hammer from Thursday 23 April. “The reaction to the auction has been very encouraging – if it’s anything to go by, we’re going to see some frenetic bidding,” said Perry Morison, General Manager Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia. “From members of the international Suzuki family right through to local motorcycle enthusiasts, we’ve been receiving a steady stream of messages of support and offers of additional assistance. “The motorcycling community is ready to get behind the auction and help raise valuable funds in conjunction with the Red Cross, for the families who are rebuilding their lives after this tragedy.” Team Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has kindly donated a second ‘Mechanic for the Day’ experience, putting another opportunity for fans to go behind the scenes at a Grand Prix on offer. Valid for the Malaysian or either of the two American rounds, the winner of the second ‘Mechanic for the Day’ prize will spend Friday working with the factory squad, and meet Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi. A full range of team gear, meals with the crew and riders and professional photos of the experience is also included, along with full paddock access for two people for the entire event. A VIP package for the Australian or any European Grand Prix will also go under the hammer, with the winner and a guest enjoying a weekend in Suzuki’s corporate facility and taking a garage tour where they’ll meet Vermeulen and Capirossi. Merchandise and full paddock access for the event is also included. The winner will need to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements for each MotoGP experience. Team Suzuki Alstare Brux, Suzuki’s factory outfit in the World Superbike Championship, has also thrown their support behind the appeal. Racing and testing leathers, helmets and boots from Max Neukirchner and Yukio Kagayama have been generously donated and are set to attract significant international interest. Enthusiasts can bid to take to the track with a motorcycle ride day at Phillip Island or Eastern Creek, while sports fans will have an opportunity to bid for a Melbourne Storm jersey, signed by the 2007 National Rugby League premiers. The new items bring the total count to 33, including merchandise and memorabilia signed by Aussie stars Chad Reed, Chris Vermeulen, Mat Mladin and Shawn Giles and Suzuki World Champions including Kevin Schwantz, Roger DeCoster and Joel Robert. Bidding in the 10-day auction starts in just over two weeks time, with the auction running through eBay from 8pm on Thursday April 23rd. Further details and list of items in the Suzuki Victorian Bushfire Charity Auction, proudly supporting the Australian Red Cross, can be found at www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au.