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RM Auctions, in partnership with the Force India Formula One Team, is proud to offer a unique Force India Formula One ‘Art Car’ as a featured attraction at its highly- anticipated London, UK sale next month (26 October, 2011). Racing chassis VJM1-05 has been wonderfully hand-painted by world-renowned motorsport artist Dexter Brown and signed by an illustrious collection of respected Formula One figures and other important dignitaries.
Driven at 16 of the 18 2008 Formula One World Championship races*, the car covered over 13,000kms at historic and modern racing circuits such as Monaco and Singapore, with the renowned driver Giancarlo Fisichella at the wheel.
First debuted in its new guise as an ‘Art Car’ at this year’s British Grand Prix, the car took pole position at Force India’s post-race party and prevailing Formula One balls. Formula One legends of yesteryear, including Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, and Niki Lauda, have made their mark on the car alongside current stars such as McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Scuderia Ferrari’s, Fernando Alonso.
“Seeing one of my Formula One cars transformed into a painting is a wonderful initiative that combines two of my greatest passions: cars and art,” says Dr. Vijay Mallya, Force India Formula One Team Chairman and Team Principal. “I wish to thank Dexter for producing this exquisite piece of work and to all who signed it. I am sure it will attract great interest at the forthcoming RM London sale, raising valuable funds for charity.”
All proceeds from the car’s sale, including RM auction commissions, will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, which provides world-class care for its young patients, and the Force India Formula One Team Academy, an initiative aimed at identifying racing talent in India and providing youth in India the chance to get involved in motorsport. The car is expected to fetch in excess of £150,000 when it goes under the hammer next month.
“When I was approached to paint an Art Car, I was immediately excited by the project as it’s the first time I’ve had the chance to work with a modern Formula One car,” explains artist Dexter Brown. “Painting the car was an interesting challenge because I had to work around the complex bodywork. It’s great to be involved in such a unique project and I look forward to seeing how much it can raise for these two great causes.”
Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe adds, “We’re proud to offer our auction stage and expertise for the presentation of this truly unique ‘Art Car’ in support of both the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and the Force India Formula One Team Academy. A true rolling sculpture, it gives a new meaning to the phrase ‘automobile as art’, presenting a very special ownership opportunity for discerning collectors, while at the same time, supporting two great organisations.”
Celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2011, RM Auctions’ London sale at Battersea Evolution is regarded as the UK’s premier and most consistently successful collector car auction, a reputation earned for its stunning consignments, record prices and strong international clientele. The Force India Formula One ‘Art Car’ will be joined at the October sale by approximately 100 of the world’s finest motor cars, along with a selection of 25 vintage motorcycles.
Further information and a complete list of auction offerings is available online at www.rmauctions.com or by calling RM’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070.
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