Skip to content

Indy 500 winner's ring and bracelet up for auction

George Torr
BBC News, East Midlands
Gildings Auctioneers A gold and black signet ring with the words "1970 CHAMPS" on the front and a gold bracelet with the words "INDIANAPOLIS 500 74-76 TEAM MCLAREN"Gildings Auctioneers
Auctioneers said they were expecting a "great deal of interest" in the items

A gold ring and bracelet presented to a racing car mechanic for his role in two victories in the Indianapolis 500 race are set to go under the hammer.

Mike "Charlie" Underwood's winner's ring, commemorating the Parnelli team's 1970 triumph, features an enamelled chequered flag and the words "1970 Champs" - with a guide price of £800 to £1,000.

A bracelet commemorating Mr Underwood's role in McLaren's 1974 and 1976 wins is expected to fetch between £1,000 and £1,500.

Director Will Gilding, of Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, said they were expecting a "great deal of interest" in the items.

Gildings Auctioneers Mike Underwood sitting in the 1966 Indy 500 Lotus (central car) alongside drivers Mario Andretti (left), and George Snider (right). All three cars are on the track. Gildings Auctioneers
Mike "Charlie" Underwood (centre) on the track after the 1966 Indy 500 race

The auction coincides with the 109th Indy 500, which takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.

Underwood, who was based in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, before relocating to the US, started his career as a radar operator in the RAF before moving to Lotus Components in 1963.

Mr Underwood's subsequent role as a senior mechanic with Lotus saw him heavily involved in the Indy 500 races of the mid to late 1960s, a period encompassing Scottish driver Jim Clark's famous win in a Lotus car in 1965.

Prior to his success with McLaren in the mid-1970s, Mr Underwood returned to Indiana in 1970 with the Parnelli team, where he worked alongside the legendary Indy 500 crew chief, George Bignotti, on Al Unser's winning car.

Gildings Auctioneers A gold and black signet ring with the words '1970 CHAMPS' on the front with the name 'M.UNDERWOOD' on the side. Gildings Auctioneers
The winner's ring has a guide price of £800 to £1,000

Mr Gilding said: "We're all revved up to offer this golden opportunity to acquire memorabilia from America's most famous automobile race.

"As well as their powerful link to this great all-American sporting event with a global reach, this ring and bracelet have the added bonus of their connection to the fine tradition of British motorsports through Charlie Underwood.

"So, we are expecting a great deal of interest from far and wide, and we look forward to seeing where this very special memorabilia finds a new home."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

More on this story