McLaren auction raises R250k for conservation
Hartbeespoort – McLaren has once again shone the spotlight on conservation, raising an impressive R250,000 for the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre at the De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre near Hartbeespoort.
This is the third year McLaren Chief Executive Officer, Zak Brown has collaborated with Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and renowned South African-born international motorsport administrator, Dieter Rencken, to raise much needed funds for the Centre.
“This time McLaren has donated a 2024 race-used Lando Norris F1 suit – an exceptional item for an exceptional cause. At McLaren we love animals,” says Zak. The suit, which comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, was auctioned through the Hall of Fame Collection, and worn during Norris’s 2024 season where the British driver led the charge to help McLaren win their first FIA World Constructors Championship since 1998 and their 9th title. Norris was also a runner up in the FIA World Drivers Championship and currently leads the 2025 title race.
The monies raised from this exclusive auction will underwrite the installation of solar powered wireless cameras at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre – bolstering security for its endangered big cats and reinforcing the vital link between precision engineering on the track and precision conservation in the wild.
The Centre does not receive any government funding, and income generated from tours and any monies raised help subsidise its conservation projects.
Funds from the auction will directly support security measures for the centre’s King cheetahs, including Houdini, Phinda, and Jules — three incredible animals with inspiring survival stories.
Houdini was rescued as part of a litter of orphaned cheetah cubs from the Kalahari. Due to an eye injury that affects his ability to hunt, he now calls the centre home.
Phinda, an orphaned cub, suffered a severe leg injury that made it impossible for him to survive in the wild. He was given a second chance at the centre, where he now thrives.
Jules, a rare King Cheetah, survived a deadly strain of parvovirus and now dazzles visitors with her speed and agility.
“Without public support, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do and we cannot thank McLaren enough for their ongoing support and commitment to the centre,” says Nikki Stagg, Marketing Manager of CHEETA.
Stagg also confirmed that Ursula, the mom of the King Cheetah McLaren (named after the first auction), is pregnant at the moment, and in honour of all the support provided would like to name one of her new cubs “Lando”. Her due date is Thursday, 17 April 2025.
You can find out more on: www.dewildt.co.za
https://www.facebook.com/dewildtcheetah/
Funds from the auction will directly support security measures for the centre’s cheetahs, including Houdini, Phinda, and Jules - three incredible animals with inspiring survival stories.
