The Barcelona Solidarity GP raised 1.6 million euros
After receiving the award for the best Grand Prix of the year, MotoGP confirms the impressive figures raised by its fundraisers. More than 300,000 euros came from auctions.
The MotoGP World Championship closed its season on a high note, but always with Valencia in mind. The memory of all those who died and were affected by the DANA that hit the Valencian Community was present at all times since the Barcelona Solidarity GP was announced. An event that last week, received the award for the best Grand Prix of the year, not only for having to organize it all against the clock but for its social purpose, which was nothing more than to raise as much money as possible that could be allocated by a community that has always been so present in the world of motorcycling. And, for that reason, the World Championship also wanted to be there for them.
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According to the data announced by MotoGP in a statement, the ‘Racing for Valencia’ recovery fund has raised a total of 1.6 million euros. The figure comes from fundraising initiatives both at the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona and online donations made to the campaign, and a final figure of one million euros added to the total by Dorna Sports, the owner of the rights to MotoGP. And, “in recognition of this collective effort”, the organization did not want to limit its donations to the profits generated by ticket sales. A sale that, in addition, they more than fulfilled, because the fans sold out the maximum capacity allowed at the event, which made it “a weekend to remember”.
Continuing with the breakdown of this collection, MotoGP thanks the commitment of the fans of the World Championship, who fully engaged in all the in-person auctions that took place on the circuit, but also in all those that were formalized online to be able to bid for souvenirs or experiences. These actions accumulated more than 300,000 euros, all possible thanks to the involvement of the riders, teams, and partners who donated dozens of items for each auction. Maverick Viñales gave up his world champion motorcycle, which he was crowned in Moto3 in 2013. In the case of Pecco Bagnaia, he bought paddock passes worth three thousand euros and ended up throwing them to the public at the Barcelona Solidarity GP.
In addition, the teams, through their association IRTA, also contributed with a significant individual donation of 100,000 euros to the Caixabank fund, and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce donated 50,000 euros, bringing them even closer to the impressive total of more than half a million. The sale of T-shirts and other products available at Montmeló also added to this donation, which will be entirely allocated to the recovery of the towns closest to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Cheste, and Chiva. Towns that usually receive the positive economic impact of hosting the end of the MotoGP season, and those that host them year after year. Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has visited the two towns while the final donation is announced.