Rossi’s Mugello Suit Raises Big Money For Charity

When the eBay auction ended recently for the leather suit that Valentino Rossi wore during the 2014 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, the bidding closed at 24.001 Euro, or $32,865 U.S.

Dainese created and promoted the hashtag #thisforSIC58 on its website and social channels in memory of Marco Simoncelli, then customized a special leather racing suit that Rossi would wear bearing the special hashtag in honor of his late friend.

The auction, which opened with a minimum bid of 1 euro, attracted attention from MotoGP fans around the world as the bidding war escalated. The 123 bids made over the course of one week ended with the incredible sum of 24.001 Euro ($32,865 U.S.). The proceeds will be handed to the Simoncelli Foundation for the Santa Marta project, a daily care center for disabled people that is being built near Coriano, Marco's birthplace. The D-Air leather suit which bears Valentino Rossi's autograph and #thisforsic58 hashtag will be handed over inside a special showcase at the winner's home.