Buy an Indy 500 Camaro, drive it at the race

camaro_pace_car.top.jpgThis Chevrolet Camro will be one of four pace cars at this year's 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500. By Peter Valdes-Dapena, senior writer


NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- An orange-and-white Chevrolet Camaro convertible, unveiled Thursday night at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auctions in Scottsdale, Ariz., will go on sale Saturday -- and it's likely to fetch a high price.

The car will be one of a relative handful of Camaro convertibles to be used as support vehicles and pace cars during this year's 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500.

Also, the winning bidder will get lead the "parade lap" of racecars around the track just before the race starts.

The car, which will be auctioned on the fifth night of Barrett-Jackson's collector car auctions, will be one of the first modern Camaro convertibles built.

The winning bidder will get the first of 50 Festival Committee cars, virtually identical to the car shown here, not one the four actual pace cars.

Pace cars are used during the race itself. They drive ahead of the racecars to maintain a set speed on the track during times, such as before the start of racing and during "yellow flag" cautions.

Festival Committee Cars are used by track executives and Indianapolis civic leaders in the days leading up the race. They also lead a "Parade Lap" around the track before the start of the race.

"In Indy history, the Festival Committee Cars are very sought after vehicles," said Jeff Chew, marketing manager for Chevrolet Racing.

Equipped with 400-horsepower V8 engines and 6-speed transmissions, the Indy pace cars and Festival Committee Cars, including the one sold at Barrett-Jackson, will be no different from other Camaro SS convertibles in terms of performance.

The Barrett-Jackson collector car auctions are known for selling high-value classic muscle cars and "contemporary collectibles" like this car and a 2012 Boss 302 Mustang that's also being sold this year.

This year's Indianapolis 500 will be the seventh time the race has been paced by a Camaro, said Chew.

This car will be the first of 50 Festival Committee cars produced. All will be Camaro convertibles. The winning bidder will be the first and only person to drive this particular Festival Committee car, Barrett-Jackson president Steve Davis said.

"Nobody's butt's been in that seat but him when he takes delivery," he said.

Delivery of the car will take place at the Speedway before the race.

Proceeds from the sale of the Camaro pace car will go to the David Foster Foundation, a charity that supports families with children who need organ transplants. To top of page

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