COSTA MESA, Calif. (June 23, 2010) Amid all the gleaming collector classic automobiles and rumbling muscle cars on display at the inaugural Orange County Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, three "sets of wheels" in particular will stand out on the evening of Saturday, June 26.

All three will sport Darrell Gwynn Foundation labels but, at the end of the night, one already is destined to go home with a paralyzed Anaheim man.

Hobal Grajeda, 26, suffered a severe spinal cord injury and nerve damage when he lost control of his motorcycle in a mountain turn a year-and-a-half ago. Paralyzed by the accident, Grajeda also lost the use of his left arm because of injuries to the nerves in his shoulder. He wanted a manual chair so he could maintain upper body strength; however, with just one arm to push, a standard chair was out of the question.

Enter The Darrell Gwynn Foundation, a South Florida-based organization established to enhance awareness, prevention, and support, and underwrite research to find a cure for paralysis. Gwynn established his foundation after his own tragic accident that left him paralyzed. Through the generosity of its supporters, the foundation is able to provide Grajeda with a special manual, one-arm drive chair that enhances his ability to build upper-body strength.

"ust knowing I'm about to receive this wheelchair has boosted my self esteem because I will be able to achieve a sense of accomplishment from moving myself around and it will give me access to more places," Grajeda said. "Plus, it allows me to work out my upper body through my good arm, which is something very positive for me."

It's that independent spirit in people affected by paralysis that makes Gwynn smile and bolsters his hope that a cure will be found one day.
"We're thrilled that we can help someone like Hobal achieve both importance and independence," Gwynn says. "Paralysis education, prevention and support comprise my 'race' these days, with the finish line being a cure. The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is committed to one day witnessing that checkered flag."

Following the wheelchair presentation on Saturday, June 26, between 5-7 p.m. (PDT), two amazing cars will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson to raise money for The Darrell Gwynn Foundation.

First onto the block in lot # 386 will be a Barrett-Jackson Limited Edition 2008 Shelby GT that was number eight of just 100 built and originally sold only by Arizona Ford dealers. The car's interior is signed by American Idol stars Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Kara DioGuardi and Ryan Seacrest. Following that, in lot # 386.1, is the 20th Anniversary Coors Extra Gold Dragster show car that already has brought in $550,000 during Barrett-Jackson events in Scottsdale, Ariz., and West Palm Beach, Fla., earlier this year. It is being sold once again in Orange County to help The Foundation reach $1 million through this special replica vehicle. Both cars were generously donated by Ron Pratte.

Prior to the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, a Charity Poker Night event is being held at the John Force Racing Facility in Yorba Linda on June 23. Limited to 75 players for a donation of $1,000 each, the event also has activities for guests, including unique items to be sold at silent auction. All proceeds from the Charity Poker Night and the sale of the two vehicles benefit The Darrell Gwynn Foundation.

About The Darrell Gwynn Foundation

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is a Davie, Fla.-based non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established by former National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) champion Darrell Gwynn to support individuals with spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. The Foundation's mission is to Provide Awareness, Prevention, Support, and Ultimately a Cure for Paralysis. To expedite specific cures, The Foundation assists in the funding of targeted research. As one element of its outreach, The Darrell Gwynn Foundation Wheelchair Donation Program to date has provided deserving individuals throughout Florida and across the country with approximately $1 million in customized, high-tech wheelchairs.

Gwynn won 28 national events and made the quickest run in drag racing history at the time. In his famed Coors Extra Gold Special, Gwynn won the 1989 U.S. Nationals and 1990 Gatornationals, among other races, and, on March 2, 1990, set an elapsed time record of 4.909 seconds at Houston Raceway Park in Texas. Just one month later, his career was cut short by a tragic Easter Sunday crash at England's Santa Pod Raceway, which left him paralyzed from the chest down.

For more information about The Foundation and the programs it supports, visit www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org or call 954-792-7223.
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