Ford Mustang 2010 Daytona 500 Pace Car to be Auctioned

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Ford pace car to be sold at Barrett-Jackson auction to benefit JDRF. The new Mustang will be first Ford to pace the Daytona 500 in 40 years.

Ford Motor Company will unveil a new one-off 2011 Mustang GT Glass Roof Coupe for sale at the Barrett-Jackson auction on January 23 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The winner of the auction will then be able to watch their car pace the field for the 2010 Daytona 500 on February 14, adorned in a unique paint design created specifically for the race. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to further research for a cure to type 1 diabetes.

In addition to making a donation to JDRF, Ford has offered the use of its exclusive Sky Box at the Barrett-Jackson auction to local JDRF families. At the opening of the auction, one JDRF child spokesman will say a few words. Taking part in the live auction proceedings will be Ford Motor Company President of The Americas, Mark Fields.

"This auction is such a fun and exciting way to raise money and awareness for diabetes research," said Gina Roche-Kelly, senior account manager, International Development Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. "Being selected to provide the pace car for the Daytona 500 is obviously a great honor for Ford. We are grateful that they have invited us to be a part of their celebration."

The Mustang pace car will be the first Ford to pace the Daytona 500 since a Torino GT Convertible was used in 1970. In addition to the Daytona 500 paint scheme, the car will showcase a Ford Racing suspension, unique painted wheels and special interior treatment. The car will be powered by a new-for 2011 5.0L V8 rated at 412 hp while still maintaining a class-leading 25 mpg highway.

Diabetes affects more Ford families than any other disease. Ford Motor Company has raised more than $30 million for JDRF since the grassroots campaign started in 1998.

Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called "juvenile diabetes" is an autoimmune disorder that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes must monitor their blood sugar and take multiple doses of insulin daily.