On Saturday 15th September, Bonham's will be auctioning off the classic Dunlop Bridge that used to span the race circuit at Donington Park, in a bid to raise money for the charity, Hope Against Cancer. This item is one of four pieces of racing memorabilia from the track going under the hammer that day.

The Bridge was originally erected at Donington circuit in 1977 thanks to funding from Dunlop. It stood there until 2009 when the circuit's previous operator tried to rebuild the layout of the circuit. The bridge was knocked down, and the metalwork was sold for scrap. The items up for auction are the recently recovered fibreglass sections spelling 'Dunlop' - and buyers can either bid for specific letters, or the whole thing.

Other items up for auction from the track include the Dunlop advertising signage that hung below the famous bridge; the Pirelli-branded timing clock currently sitting on Old Hairpin Bridge; and the wind tunnel model of the World Speed Record Car, Project Blue Star, from the 1970s.

"The clock and car were to be moved this winter as our track refurbishment continues," comments Christopher Tate, Managing Director at Donington Park. "The time has come when the Dunlop panels also need to make space for new developments."

As well as a healthy bank balance, the winning bidders will need some serious haulage ability in order to move their items. Each panel from the Dunlop Bridge is the size of a large garden pond; and the LSR car model measures in at a whopping nine metres long.

The charity benefiting from the auction, Hope Against Cancer, was strongly supported by the late owner of Donington Park, Tom Wheatcroft. The auction will be held at the Goodwood Revival race meeting from 14th-16th September in Sussex.

James Giddings - 7 Sep 2012