Published: June 16, 2009 04:09 pm      

Auction to benefit Speedway firefighter

A silent auction of racing memorabilia has been scheduled to benefit Speedway firefighter Bradley E. Hall, who recently underwent brain surgery.

The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. June 24 at the Speedway Applebee’s restaurant, 5664 Crawfordsville Road. Collectors will be able to bid on a variety of items, including racing suits, uniforms, and a helmet signed by drivers in several forms of motorsport.

A number of very nice door prizes will be given as well. Auction bidders will not need to be present in order to win.

In addition, as part of its “Dining to Donate” flyer program, the Applebee’s location will set aside a portion of its proceeds from that day — from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. — for the Hall family, in order to offset medical costs incurred earlier this year (a flyer is necessary in order to donate a portion of the tab at Applebee’s).

Hall has an uncommon condition known as chiari malformation (CM), in which a portion of the brain swells, inhibiting the flow of spinal fluid and causing severely debilitating symptoms. Treatment requires extremely invasive and expensive neurosurgery. Hall underwent the procedure in January; he has since recovered and returned to work.

Hall, a Speedway High School graduate and a U.S. Navy veteran, has been a member of the Speedway Fire Department for six years. He has served as president of the local firefighters’ union, and has also been heavily active in the local community as a member of the Speedway Cable TV Commission, a Freemason, and a youth football coach. He and his wife, Michele, have two sons, both of whom attended Speedway schools; and a 4-year-old daughter.

Members of the racing community who have donated items and/or time to the benefit include 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever, two-time Allstate 400 at the Brickyard winner Tony Stewart, and 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon. The Mail Room, a memorabilia shop in Speedway, has contributed as well.

Benefit coordinator Katherine Byers said the fundraising goal is $10,000, and a portion of any money collected beyond that amount will be used toward the establishment of a non-profit organization to raise awareness of CM.

For more information, e-mail Byers at bradhallsbenefit@yahoo.com.