Auction Success for Marshal's Family

The sale of motor racing memorabilia has raised a significant amount of money for the family of Australian Grand Prix marshal Graham Beveridge, who was killed during the Melbourne race.

A number of Formula One personnel donated items for the motor racing auctions, which was put together to raised funds for the family of Beveridge, who was killed by flying debris five laps into the Albert Park event.

The family will receive £30,000 (pounds) from the FIA following the tragedy, but the final total will be significantly increased by proceeds from the auction.

Among the donations were signed race suits from the top three finishers in the tragic race - Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello - which sold for £25,000 altogether.

Eddie Jordan and Benetton chief Flavio Briatore donated a scooter autographed by Michael Schumacher which they bought at the Australian Grand Prix ball for £12,000.

The scooter sold for £50,000 on Australian television's 'The Footy Show', but the buyer backed out after the final bid was accepted and the scooter will now be re-auctioned.

With reported donations of £10,000 from both Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and Australian Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker, the final total could exceed £100,000.

Formula One was rocked by the tragedy, the second marshal death in five races, and the sport had a similar auction last year after Paolo Gislimberti died at last year's Italian Grand Prix.

Investigations were already underway into spectator and marshal safety after the death at Monza in an aim to prevent another tragedy.