THE FIRST 2017 FORD GT to cross an auction block for charity is at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
January 7, 2018
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
This extremely rare Liquid-Blue 2017 Ford GT (Lot #3010) will be crossing the 2018 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction block for charity.
Arizona businessman Ron Pratte will make a memorable return to the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction this January with an incredibly rare 2017 Ford GT (Lot #3010). This will be the first current-generation Ford GT that has been donated for charity since the car was introduced.
This extremely rare Liquid-Blue supercar is designed and optimized for track performance to honor its racing heritage. The Ford GT couples its extraordinary power with impressive aerodynamic efficiency and advanced active dynamics to achieve a maximum speed of 216 mph – making it the fastest Ford production vehicle on the track ever.
Pratte has generously donated the vehicle to the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation, which will auction the supercar for charity on Super Saturday. Proceeds will benefit the Autism Society of North Carolina’s IGNITE program, which offers activities, skills training and educational workshops that address the social, financial, educational and employment needs of young adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.
IGNITE is operated by the Autism Society of North Carolina with founding support from the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization formed by legendary NASCAR crew chief Ray Evernham, whose son, Ray J, has Asperger’s Syndrome. “At 26, he is fortunate to have benefited from IGNITE and to have strong family support,” says Evernham. “However, many of his peers do not. These young adults may be the next Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., or person who cures cancer, but we will never know if they don’t get the help they so desperately need. IGNITE is a program I started to meet this significant gap in support for young adults. We named the program IGNITE hoping it would be the spark to create more of these programs around the country. This donation very well could be what we have needed to make that happen.”
To sweeten the pot, Ford is also including a Ford Performance Racing School GT Experience with the sale of the Ford GT. This world-class program will give the winning bidder the chance to improve their driving skills behind the wheel of one of the world’s most celebrated supercars.
Over the past decade, several historic Ford vehicles have been auctioned with Barrett-Jackson to support charity, including a 2007 Ford Shelby GT500, 2017 Ford Raptor, Ford Focus RS and 2016 Ford Shelby GT350. Working together, Ford and Barrett-Jackson’s auction of this 2017 Ford GT will add to the millions of dollars that have already been raised by both companies for non-profit organizations nationwide.
“We created the Ford GT as a way to innovate across our company while inspiring people around the world,” says Dave Pericak, director of Ford Performance. “Over the years, Ford has worked closely with the Autism Alliance of Michigan who, along with IGNITE, supports the efforts to help improve the lives of those with autism. Mr. Pratte’s donation to the Autism Society of North Carolina inspired us to donate an exclusive Ford Performance Racing School GT Experience, giving the winning bidder the ultimate driver instruction in the ultimate Ford Performance supercar.”
When Ford Motor Company introduced the Ford GT, they unveiled the car in Liquid Blue and declared their intentions of racing at Le Mans. In almost storybook fashion, they took first, third and fourth in class in 2016, capturing Ford’s first Le Mans victory in 50 years. With all of the 2017-model-year cars already sold, this is an unbelievable opportunity to obtain the unobtainable – and help a deserving charity at the same time.
In addition to this rare 2017 GT, a 2005 Ford GT Coupe (Lot #1425.1), 2006 Ford GT (Lot #1372) and 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition (Lot #1414) will also cross the block at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January.
For up-to-date information on the 2017 Ford GT, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicle on the Scottsdale docket, click HERE.