On Thursday a packed house at Players Lounge confirmed once again that the Lakeland is as generous as it is classy. The ride auction lead-up to Dream Wheels Weekend in Bonnyville and Cold Lake Aug. 27 and 28 raised $10,075 for charity by the end of the night.
Auctioneer Marc Jubinville sold 30 rides in exotic cars, including several Lamborghinis, Ferraris, a Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, as well as a couple BMWs, Nissan GTRs, a Porsche, and a Ford GT.
To show bidders what they were bidding on, David Forrest, Doug Forest, and Greg Lacusta drove three Lamborghinis to Bonnyville from Lloydminster for viewing. David Forrest, president of Western Plains Petroleum Ltd., said he drove down to show support for the activities on the base.
"It's a good cause," he said, adding that "300 km an hour without being pursued by the cops is a good thing."
David said it was the Countach that sparked his love of Lamborghinis, but it was his brother Doug Forrest who drove the Countach to Bonnyville on Thursday. Lacusta drove his 1999 Diablo VT Roadster while David took the Murcielago Roadster.
Lacusta said reaction from the group of drivers being organized by Zahir Rana, owner of exotic car dealership ZR Auto in Calgary, has been positive. Around 60 drivers are expected to bring cars up to Cold Lake and Bonnyville for Dream Wheels Weekend.
Proceeds from the auction and Dream Wheels Weekend will go to Bonnyville Health Foundation, Hearts for Healthcare in Cold Lake, Military Families Support Society of 4 Wing, and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
"It's been a lot more work than we thought initially," said Mayor of Cold lake Craig Copeland. "This is the first time ever done in Canada."
Copeland bid and won the ride in the Maserati MC-12 for his daughter at the auction. But the top bid of the night went for the Enzo Ferrari Edo XX at price of $950. Other rides went for anywhere between $150 and $700.
Tickets for Dream Wheels Weekend are available Online at www.dreamwheelsweekend.com, and are $8 for practice rounds and viewing on Friday, Aug. 27, $12 for Race the Base on Saturday, Aug. 28, or $18 for both. VIP passes sell for $400, which includes meals and access to the driver's area.
