Thu, 24 Sep 2009, 02:28 PM Motorcraft/Quick Lane Auction Off 'Stars and Stripes' Helmet and Fire Suit to Benefit

Courtesy of Susan Pollack

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Diabetes Research Foundation Ford Customer Service Division's (FCSD) Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Funny Car Design Contest has come to a close and the winning design has been unveiled, but there is still another chance for race fans to support a great cause.

FCSD brands Motorcraft and Quick Lane, along with driver Bob Tasca III are auctioning off the "Stars and Stripes -Take a Walk in Our Shoes" fire suit and helmet from this year's Funny Car Design Contest to benefit JDRF. Designed by eight-year old, Liam Flanagan of Williamstown, NJ, the fire suit and helmet that Tasca wore at the NHRA Carolina Nationals will be awarded to the highest bidder with all the proceeds going to JDRF.

"The last piece of this Ford Customer Service Division fundraiser for JDRF is to auction off my helmet and fire suit," said Tasca. "Both the fire suit and helmet are posted on eBay for one week, starting today. We'd love to have the fans bid on these one of a kind items and raise more money for Juvenile Diabetes research. I want to thank Liam Flanagan for his great design on the race car and fire suit. I had a great time with Liam and his folks in Charlotte, and I look forward to seeing them at a race again soon."

JDRF has become the charity of choice for the two FCSD brands that are the primary sponsors for Bob Tasca III's Funny Car, and the two organizations couldn't be a better fit, as Ford Motor Company is the largest corporate sponsor of JDRF and the only international sponsor of the foundation.

"It's important for FCSD to give back to our community, and our sponsorship in the NHRA gives us a great platform to reach a large audience to bring awareness to the search for a cure to this disease," said Brett Wheatley, Director of Marketing, Ford Customer Service Division. "We're excited about what we have accomplished in our second year with the contest and look forward to bringing more attention to such a worthy cause.

Diabetes affects more Ford families than any other disease. Ford Motor Company has raised more than $23 million for JDRF since the grassroots campaign started in 1998.

To bid on either of the Tasca JDRF items, fans can visit http://tinyurl.com/JDRF-FireSuit to bid on the fire suit and http://tinyurl.com/JDRF-Helmet to bid on the helmet. Both items can also be found on eBay by typing "Bob Tasca" into the search field.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease, which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research, including more than $137 million in FY2007. In FY2007, the Foundation funded 700 centers, grants and fellowships in 20 countries. http://www.jdrf.org

About Motorcraft
Motorcraft offers a complete line of original equipment-approved parts that are recommended and approved by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood and powertrain repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available locally and are backed nationwide by Ford Motor Company's Service Parts Limited Warranty. For more information, visit http://www.motorcraft.com.

About Quick Lane
Quick Lane provides automotive quick services for all makes and models. Quick Lane's nationwide network of 530 facilities provides the convenience of an aftermarket company (no appointment necessary, service while you wait, evening and weekend hours, competitive prices) with the confidence of a major automotive manufacturer (quality parts, factory-trained technicians). Quick LaneR is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit http://www.quicklane.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://www.ford.com.

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