Ingall and V8 heroes auction helmet for Starlight.

By Matthew Agius

Reigning V8 Supercar Champion Russell Ingall, with the help of his fellow drivers, is set to auction off a rare piece of memorabilia for the Starlight Children's Foundation.

All thirty one competing drives at the previous round of the V8 Supercar Championship at Hidden Valley Raceway have signed a limited edition Arai helmet - with sponsorship from Ingall's personal backers Revolution Racegear and also the helmet's brand - in hope of auctioning off the special item for the children the Starlight Foundation supports.

This is not the first time Ingall and Caltex have raised significant money for Starlight. Earlier this year, Ingall auctioned off two tyres from his championship-winning Stone Brothers Racing Ford Falcon - raising slightly under $9000 - whilst for his 1one-hundredth round at Barbagallo last year, he auctioned off one of his actual helmets for $8000.

The helmet includes the signatures of former Australian Touring Car Champions Mark Skaife (1992, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2002), Craig Lowndes (1996, 1998, 1999) and John Bowe (1995), and the signatures of eleven Bathurst champions.

"I have to thank all the boys for getting behind his cause and signing the helmet for the Starlight Children's Foundation," Ingall said.

"This helmet would make a fantastic edition to anyone's collection and I am sure it is going to raise a lot of money for Starlight which is the chosen charity of myself and Caltex. We are throwing in the insurance and freight to ensure every cent of the helmet bid goes to Starlight."

Revolution Racegear (one of Ingall's personal sponsors) was a fundamental part of the deal to auction the helmet off, with the company donating the item for Ingall and Caltex's use.

"I have applauded Russell and Caltex in the past for their work for Starlight and we were delighted to help out when this idea was put forward," said Revolution Racegear CEO Managing Director Dale Rodgers.

"I am sure it will create an enormous amount of interest in and out of racing circles.

"To have four former champions and 11 Bathurst winners on a one-off piece of memorabilia is a pretty special thing."

The helmet will go on auction via Ingall's official website www.russellingall.com.au until midnight on Monday, July 31.