Ron Burton, a well-known artist and resident of Speedway, Indiana, has placed his large collection of racing helmets up for sale. The collection is quite amazing… 165 helmets in all, many worn by some of the biggest names in auto racing (the helmet at left was used by Mark Donohue). The helmets have been on display for years at Union Jack’s Pub, a popular hangout among the racing crowd located just a mile from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Burton is selling the collection because “As hard as the loss of the collection would be, the “starving artist” has reached a point in his life where retirement and relaxing on a beach is more appealing than retaining the collection.”

The collection is currently listed on eBay, but the auction ends on March 19th. Bidding starts at $100,000 and there is a reserve. All of the helmets can be viewed at RonBurtonHelmets.com.

By Robin Miller

Last year I compiled a list of “don’t miss” great traditions associated with the running of the annual Indianapolis 500 Mile race. Many activities on the list were “no-brainers” for anyone visiting Indy for the Race, or for locals who want to get swooped up in the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event. One event that was easy for me to include was the annual race memorabilia show.   read more »

A ticket stub from the 1980 Hoosier Hundred with 1979 winner Bobby Olivero on the front.

click image to enlarge

Now this you gotta see! Don Smith of Terre Haute opened the doors of his extensive private racing collection to the public last fall to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (where was I when that happened??). Another race fan had the recent opportunity to view part of the collection and has posted photos on the forums of JalopyJournal.com.   read more »

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