With over a week to go before the first race of the 2005 Formula One World Championship season, Pitpass declares Renault, BAR, Jordan and tyre supplier Bridgestone to be its true champions.

The Pitpass Tsunami Auction has come to an end, having raised over £17,000.

When the auction was first announced, Renault, BAR, Jordan and Bridgestone didn't hesitate, offering various items of memorabilia in an attempt to raise money for the victims of the December 26th disaster.

£17,000 is hardly going to ease the pain, but it will hopefully bring a little relief, where it's needed, and, considering the fact that we're a small independent F1 website, isn't too bad an effort.

I am particularly delighted to know that the official Ebay Tsunami Disaster Relief page lists Pitpass, along with UK Radio Aid, Unicef, Oxfam and The Sun, as the primary auctions for the disaster.

While thanking Bradley and everyone at Renault F1, Emma and the BAR Honda Team, Helen and Eddie - yes that Eddie - and everyone else at Jordan (pre 24/1/2005), and Rachel and the Bridgestone crew, may I also thank the following for their kindness and support.

Bernie Ecclestone - yes, that Bernie Ecclestone, Kenneth McLeod at Grand Prix Adventures, John Marsh of Redzone Images, Geoff Collins, Barry Gough of F1 Garage, Phil Lindsay, Mark Talbot, The Jo Hansford Salon, , John Lane, Joanne Burnett, Angela Maskens and Jayne Harper.

Also, many thanks to Chris Berry, Ewan Smith (Wangbar) and Thorgal Nicasia, for their help in setting up the various auction pages and banners, and Stephen Harvey at Oxfam.

Although the images of devastation may have disappeared from the front pages of our newspapers, to be replaced by Charles and Camilla, David, Victoria and Cruz, the Tsunami misery continues. Even as I write, a business colleague of my wife is en-route to meet her husband (a Metropolitan Police detective) who is returning from the devastated region. For the last few weeks he has been seconded to body recovery - one can hardly begin to imagine the horror he has witnessed.

Our auction is over, but the misery continues. Therefore please feel free to continue donating by checking out the official Oxfam Tsunami website.

One again, sincere thanks to everyone who helped.

Chris Balfe
Editor
Pitpass.com