Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is putting its full weight behind an auction of exclusive experiences and rare motorcycle memorabilia in the Suzuki Victorian Bushfire Charity Auction, which starts at 20.00hrs local time (10.00hrsGMT) on Thursday 23rd April. Over 25 items will go under the hammer in the 10-day auction, with net proceeds donated to the Australian Red Cross to help victims of the tragic Victorian Bushfires that struck Southern Australia late last year. MotoGP enthusiasts can bid on three exclusive Rizla Suzuki MotoGP experiences donated by the team – in which they’ll spend time behind the scenes and meet Team-stars Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi. Suzuki’s Australian star Vermeulen has also donated a pair of signed leathers he used in pre-season testing to the auction. Suzuki Germany has donated a fairing panel from a GSX-R1000 MotoGP replica, signed by Suzuki’s MotoGP stars Vermeulen and Capirossi, to add to the MotoGP memorabilia on offer. The MotoGP items feature alongside other lots signed by international Australian stars Chad Reed and Mat Mladin, and past Suzuki World Champions including Kevin Schwantz, Roger DeCoster and Joel Robert. Memorabilia from Team Suzuki Alstare Brux, Suzuki’s World Superbike Championship team, and local factory squads Team Joe Rocket Suzuki and Team Shift Motul Suzuki is also up for grabs. The Suzuki Victorian Bushfire Charity Auction will be one of the last chances to make a contribution to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal, which has to date raised over AU$315 million for those affected by the Victorian bushfire tragedy. Bidding opens at 20.00hrs local time (10.00hrsGMT) on Thursday 23rd April, with five-minute intervals scheduled between each listing to make it easy for enthusiasts who want to bid on more than one item. The first item will close 10 days later, at 20.00hrs Australian time (10.00hrsGMT) on Sunday 3rd May, the day of the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, with the final item and auction scheduled to end at 22.15hrs Australian time (10.15hrsGMT). Chris Vermeulen: “It was such an awful event that the least I can do is to put my support behind Suzuki Australia’s auction to raise money for the Bushfire Appeal. There were many terrible stories that we heard about the fires and if we can help in any way then we will. I think this is a great idea by the people at Suzuki Australia and they have put a lot of work into making this happen. I have donated some items to the auction and Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has also put its weight behind the auction by supplying some amazing items for anyone to bid on. I hope it raises a lot of money to help those affected by the fires – I will certainly be keeping an eye on how much everything goes for!” Loris Capirossi: “This was an awful tragedy that touched so many people in Australia. I am happy to put my full support behind this appeal and I hope we can help to raise as much money as possible for the victims of this event.” When the auction starts, items can be accessed by searching for the Seller ID ‘SuzukiAustralia’ or by going directly to http://myworld.ebay.com.au/SuzukiAustralia/.