Put your hands up for a chance to take the front seat of a 1989 Batmobile replica, with a Bathurst 1000 winner or local rally car champion, all while supporting a local charity that helps Canberrans in need.

Four exciting prizes are up for grabs in a charity auction at the Canberra Festival of Speed on 25 January, with the funds going to Hands Across Canberra.

The community foundation raises money for Canberra’s most vulnerable people, invests the money to make it grow and gives it back to the community in grants.

Prizes include a Batmobile circuit experience, a front seat ride with Canberra’s own rally car champion Harry Bates, and a hot lap driving experience with Bathurst 1000 champ John Bowe. These experiences will run during the event.

Also on offer is six members passes to Canberra’s Million Dollar Race Day, the John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Race Day on 9 March.

Hands Across Canberra chief executive officer Genevieve Jacobs said the auction items were special because they were amazing real-life experiences.

“You just don’t get the chance to see how a legendary race or rally car driver works – you get to talk to them behind the wheel,” Ms Jacobs said.

“And who has set foot into a batmobile? You get to be Canberra’s Batman and Robin.

“You can do that in Canberra and helping the community is an added bonus.”

She said the Bates family were a local rally racing dynasty.

“We love that Harry is being so generous with his home community too.”

Bowe is an ambassador for the car festival.

Ms Jacobs said that while there was no specific fundraising goal, she encouraged people to give generously.

“The money from this will help fund the annual grants program we do,” Ms Jacobs said.

“We do a collaboration with The Snow Foundation, John James Foundation, and Aspen Medical Foundation.

“Together we give away more than $1.5m in grants each year.

“It’s about building a culture in Canberra of giving where you live.”

Ms Jacobs said times were tough in Canberra.

“This is a very expensive city to live in, Hands Across Canberra and others are giving money to local causes,” she said.

“It’s all money that will help your neighbours, friends and locals who are having a tough time.

“That’s why we’re asking people to put their hands up in the auction for Canberra.”

Bids for the auction items can be placed at allbids.com.au/t/canberra-festival-of-speed with all auctions closing at 7pm on 25 January.

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