Dunlop bridge sale aids cancer charity

Dunlop, a company with almost 125 years worth of British motorsport heritage, has announced it will match the total raised by the Donington Park items that went under the hammer at the Goodwood Revival Auction. The lots sold by Bonhams raised £1500 for Leicestershire based charity – Hope Against Cancer.

Andy Marfleet, Dunlop brand manager said: “We are delighted to donate this money to charity; the auction was esteemed with British motorsport heritage, something we care greatly about. The Dunlop bridge was of course part of that and we are pleased it helped a very worthy cause like Hope Against Cancer.”

The bridge that was based at the Midlands circuit was built in1977. During its life it became an iconic piece of motorsport history and had a front row seat to many thrilling races. It was taken down in 2007 and cannot be restored to its previous position due to new racing safety regulations. Continuing, Andy Marfleet said: “Donington is seen as Dunlop’s home circuit, our tyres are made just down the road at Fort Dunlop in Birmingham where we make Dunlop BTCC tyres, as well as the race winning tyres for American Le Mans, World Endurance Championship, Moto2 and the Isle of Man TT.”

Donington is not the only place in the world where a Dunlop bridge can be found. The first was erected at Le Mans, Circuit de la Sarthe in 1923. The bridge generated such a buzz that others were erected at race circuits across the globe and can still be found in Sweden, Australia and Japan amongst others.

A cheeky April Fool picked up by local midlands media saw Dunlop apply for planning permission in 2012 for a Dunlop bridge to be placed over the M6, this was unsurprisingly refused.

Andy Marfleet finished by saying: “Hope Against Cancer raises funds for research into the causes and treatment of cancer to benefit all and we are delighted to match the amount raised and that the bridge has helped increase the awareness of this fantastic charity.”