The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is teaming up with Spotfund – an all-new and innovative fundraising platform that supports only 501(c)(3) non-profits – to close out the funding required to get Dan Gurney’s legendary Lotus 29/1 back on the racetrack.
The IMS Museum’s Restoration department is getting ever closer to the finish line, which will be officially crossed when fans can hear the roar of the Ford 260 cubic-inch V8 and the sleek Lotus 29, looking regal in its white with blue stripes and No. 93, turns laps on the legendary 2.5-mile IMS oval.
The IMS Museum Restoration Project got underway about 18 months ago and great progress has been made, but approximately $15,000 of the $103,000 budget required to restore the Lotus remains to be raised, and that’s where Spotfund has stepped up to help bridge the gap.
While Spotfund was created with the millennial generation in mind – to allow emotional reaction over worthy causes and events to be quickly put into action – Co-Founder Michael Marian emphasizes that it makes giving easier than ever, for all generations.
“There’s a lot of media out there where anyone can share their emotions over a cause or event, but there’s no easy way to take action and make the world a better place,” he said. “We’re building a platform that can have an enormously positive social impact.”
By using Spotfund.com or the App, users can donate as little as $1 to a non-profit and your information is saved securely so users can quickly and easily donate to future needs.
Make your donation to move the Lotus 29/1 project to completion by copying and pasting this web address: http://spot.fund/
Marian’s fellow Spotfund co-founder, Sanford Kunkel, is a Carmel, Indiana, native and Indiana University graduate; the two met in New York, where Spotfund is headquartered.
“We’re so excited to work with such an iconic American brand as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum,” Marian said. “Our platform will connect the Museum with a new audience while making it easier than ever for the Speedway’s fanbase to help bring the Lotus back to life.”
The Lotus 29 represents one of the greatest technological revolutions in motorsports history; it ushered in the “rear-engine revolution” at the Indianapolis 500 after the race had been dominated by front-engine cars from the dawn of racing.
Team Lotus founder Colin Chapman brought three Lotus 29s to IMS for the 1963 race: one for Jim Clark, a second for Gurney, and a third as the test “mule.” The 29/1 was the mule, but Gurney crashed during practice and the mule quickly got a promotion. Gurney qualified the car 12th and finished the race in seventh place, while Clark finished second and earned “Rookie of the Year” honors.
The Lotus 29/1 was repainted to resemble Clark’s car by Ford Motor Company, after Clark had won two Formula 1 World Championships (1963 and 1965) and the 1965 Indy 500.
Lotus 29/1 Progress Update: As of July 31, the green paint has been stripped from the chassis, finishing touches are being put on the engine, new custom fuel cells are being constructed, and IMS staff are fabricating a new suspension system.
The white and blue paint will be restored via an in-kind donation; the remaining amount needed will be used to purchase new tires, brake system and suspension components.
All funds generated for the Museum by Spotfund will go to secure these items until the $15,000 threshold is met. Any additional funds will go to future restoration projects.
IMS Museum staff are keeping fans up to date on the Lotus 29/1 restoration through videos and photos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
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