Ooltewah, TN: The MK5 SPEED World Challenge Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Diesel Race Car donated to the Austin Hatcher Foundation by Chili Pepper Racing was auctioned at Barrett Jackson Orange County on June 27, 2010. Total proceeds from the auction topped $80,000. The car, the world’s first professional bio-diesel Touring Series race car, was built by Chili Pepper Racing LLC in 2006. The car was unveiled at the American Le Mans Series Petit Le Mans in September of 2006 and debuted at Sebring International Raceway in March of 2007.
Speaking at the auction, Jim Osborn, MD, MSPH, Co-Founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation told the crowd about his son, Austin Hatcher Osborn, who passed away from an aggressive form of pediatric cancer shortly after the car was unveiled at the 2006 Petit Le Mans.
Bidding quickly moved to $30,000, but before the gavel fell, something amazing happened. As the Osborn family stood on stage, $5000 and $10,000 donations for the Foundation began flying from the audience. “We are so appreciative of Barrett Jackson and all of those who bid on the car and made donations to the Foundation,” said Jim. “The proceeds from this auction will go a long way to help families affected by pediatric cancer. We just can not thank those in attendance and the staff at Barrett-Jackson’s Orange County event enough for their support.”
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for a carefree childhood was formed in 2006 after Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their infant son Hatch to a rare form of pediatric cancer. The foundation’s mission is to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment, as well as those who have lost children due to cancer. The foundation has developed a landmark group of programs and services essential to help cancer stricken children and their families function within their community. All services provided by the Foundation are free of charge, funded solely by the generous donations of its supporters. For more information visit www.hatcherfoundation.org
Hatch’s house of hope is a unique Austin Hatcher Foundation concept designed to empower children and families affected by pediatric cancer to thrive. The landmark cancer care center equips children and their family members with the educational, emotional and social skills necessary to succeed. Specifically, these services include Problem Solving Skills Training, neurocognitive testing, educational programming to help effected children overcome their cognitive and learning deficits, emotional counseling for the cancer affected child, their siblings and parents, and marital and financial counseling to ensure a safe environment to maximize the family growth as a whole. All services at Hatch’s are free to its guests, funded entirely by donations. Erlanger Medical Mall in Chattanooga, TN, is the site of the first Hatch’s house of hope, which opened September 18, 2009. This Hatch’s is the model for other Hatch’s in the planning stages nationwide. For more information visit www.hatchshouse.org
Barrett Jackson is the producer of “the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Orange County and Las Vegas. The 2010 Orange County Auction will take place June 25 – 27 at the OC Fair and Events Center. For more information on Barrett Jackson’s auctions, visit www.barrett-jackson.com/events/orangecounty/.
Chili Pepper Racing LLC is a professional Motorsports Corporation formed in 2002 to serve as a vehicle to raise monies and awareness for the charities, at no cost to the charity, through racing. For more information visit www.chilipepperracing.org