[Jeb]

My opinion only, let me state that upfront.

Unless you can sell $80,000 worth of tickets by June 1st, I think the best idea would be to just auction it off.

Despite references to 'family' and 'little man', the fact still remains that CF has been given an asset, not the 'family', not the 'little man'.
It is the responsible course to maximize the value to be realized by the sale of this asset. If that means some fat cat that could just as easily buy it from Kirkham pays full price, then so be it. The Kirkhams have done a good deed and have clearly stated that whether it is auctioned or not does not matter to them. I would take them at their word. Whatever course is taken with CF's car, I think it is only fair, right, and the simply honorable thing to do, to get as much money as possible from its sale for CF.

I would maybe attempt to sell the tickets, with a clearly defined minimum number to be sold printed right on the ticket. Perhaps a line where the purchaser could waive refund if the minimum is not reached. If you sell that amount of tickets by June 1st, then all is good. If not. Then auction it off for two weeks. The Kirkhams' generosity will be rewarded either way...you will have promoted the Kirkham car, and the Kirkhams' good will, for 6 months across the country (and across the seas as well). If an auction then becomes necessary, the Kirkhams' exposure just continues.

As for this one car building future years' activity. In real life, I don't think so. Sorry. It's the event as a whole, the people, concept and cause that will build the event, not the one-time donation of a car. I don't go to Nashville, Indiana's May Shelby event for raffles. I go for the cars that show up and the people who drive them.

This is sort of like auctioning off the family farm: you divide it into 5 parts like back 40, woodlot, front 40, side 30, and buildings. Then you auction off each piece. Then you auction off the whole thing at once. However the most money is offered, that is how it is eventually sold, piece-wise or whole. I think if you can get enough from the raffle pieces, you should go that way, but if you can get more by just selling it whole, 1 time, then I think that's the way it should go.

There are many people who will never be able to afford a Kirkham car. This is an opportunity for them to have such a chance. But giving them the chance shouldn't cost CF. And, I wonder what will happen to the car anyway, if it is won by someone who could marginally afford it, when the $25,000 tax bill comes due?

Again, these are just my opinions, based on a little experience. Please take them that way.