Custom R1 honours Valentino Rossi

Along with five incredibly dominant world championships, Rossi holds the record for most podium positions, and is constantly eclipsing long-standing records set by names the likes of Doohan, Agostini and Schwanz. The personable Italian is as dynamic off track as he is on, and his infectious vitality has earned him a huge legion of supporters across the globe.

To celebrate his career, the organisers of the Australian Motorcycle Expo Brisbane and Melbourne, and the Sydney Motorcycle Show are conducting an auction of a one-off custom Yamaha R1, with a unique livery that personifies the man they call 'The Doctor'. It features incredible airbrushing with a dual sided design; the right-hand fairing is highlighted by the distinct Rossi yellow, with a brilliant blue on the left-hand fairing. As well as a number of detailed characters and symbols, it also features a subtle embossed pattern of '46' icons, Valentino's famous race number.

The Rossi R1 has been part of the Brisbane and Melbourne events and next week will feature at the Sydney Motorcycle Show. Profits from this incredible auction will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the bidding will take place across a 10-day period on eBay, beginning on November 2 and concluding on November 12. The unique Rossi R1, with artwork by Mark Brown of Brown's Grafix, will be featured on the Yamaha display at each premier exhibition. Mark Petersen of Exhibition and Trade Fairs said that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and said he expected bids to come from both local and overseas enthusiasts.