Bidding on the Ayrton Senna tribute helmet worn by Simon Pagenaud during this year’s Indy 500 ends tonight at midnight, and with 35 bids so far pushing the one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia to $11,900, the Team Penske driver is hopeful more bidders will take part and increase the donation amount to Brazil’s Ayrton Senna Institute.

I’m delighted with how well the auction has gone, and so far, we are almost up to $12000,” Pagenaud told RACER. “We are raising money for a good cause; I hope we can raise as much as possible to help the Senna Institute’s child literacy project in Brazil. Ayrton has always been a role model for me and certainly the person that helped me find my desire for racing.

“I’m glad I get to do something like this in return, and being associated to the Ayrton Senna Institute feels very special. The person that wins the auction for this helmet will have a very unique piece at home and a lot of people will be very grateful for this incredible gesture.”