Bernie hosts 50th anniversary dinner.

Formula One heroes both past and present gathered at London's Dorchester Hotel last Wednesday night to mark Formula One's 50th anniversary.

The event, hosted by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, was also raising money for the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and, through a sporting and musical auction amongst other things, the evening raised just under $3million for the charity.

The very first round of the World Championship was held at Silverstone in May 1950 and those in attendance at the gala to commemorate the event included World Champions Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Phil Hill, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Jody Scheckter, Alan Jones and Keke Rosberg.

There was also some musical entertainment provided by Eddie Jordan who is an accomplished drummer, guitarists Eric Clapton and Damon Hill (yes, Damon Hill)who were well supported by the multi-talented Jools Holland, and Jamiroquai front man and self confessed racing nut J. Kay.

The auction itself provided some very interesting buyers for some very sought after equipment. Guitars belonging to Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler and Ferrari fan Chris Rea were all bought by Jacques Villeneuve, who surely cannot be thinking of supporting fiance Danni Minogue's pop career. There was also some haggling over the price of an all expenses paid trip to the Monaco Grand Prix between McLaren's Ron Dennis and Benetton's Flavio Briatore.

Perhaps the strangest bid of the night came from Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo who paid $40,000 for a ride in the back of McLaren's two seater MP498-T F1 car. Now that is a bizarre way of trying to learn your arch rival's top secrets.