In an extraordinary act of generosity, Xbox veteran Alan Hartman is auctioning his iconic 2017 Ford GT – yes, the very supercar that graced the cover of Forza Motorsport 6 and often held pride of place in the Turn 10 HQ lobby
But why? Well, to raise vital funds for the UK-based gaming charity, SpecialEffect. This once-in-a-lifetime auction kicks off today, May 15th, 2025, and will run until May 22nd.
SpecialEffect, a BAFTA award-winning charity, is renowned for its incredible work improving the lives of people with physical disabilities across the globe through the innovative use of assistive technology, particularly in making video games accessible.
The Star of the Show: A Genuine Forza Icon
Up for grabs is not just any supercar, but a 2017 Ford GT, one of only 138 made that year. This revered American classic, a true automotive masterpiece, boasts a blistering top speed of 216 mph and can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in under three seconds.
For years, this specific vehicle has been a visual staple for Forza fans, often seen on display in Redmond, Washington, at the home of Turn 10 Studios.
This unique auction, managed by Bring a Trailer, offers automotive enthusiasts, gaming aficionados, and philanthropists an unparalleled opportunity to own a prestigious piece of motoring and gaming history. The winner will not only acquire an incredible vehicle but will also know they are making a direct, life-changing contribution to SpecialEffect’s work.
A Legacy of Gaming Innovation and Philanthropy
The donation comes from Alan Hartman, who recently retired after an incredible 30-year career at Microsoft, culminating in his role as head of Xbox Game Studios.
Hartman’s legacy is deeply intertwined with some of gaming’s biggest franchises; he worked on titles ranging from Age of Empires to Brute Force as the studio head of Digital Anvil, before co-founding Turn 10 Studios. Under his leadership, Turn 10 and Playground Games delivered 14 Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon games, building Forza into one of the world’s top racing franchises.
Crucially, during this time, Forza also became one of the most popular games enjoyed by disabled gamers globally, thanks in no small part to in-game assistive control innovations personally championed by Alan himself. His connection with SpecialEffect began after he became aware of their work with Playground Games, leading to a visit to their Oxfordshire HQ in 2017. A year later, in 2018, he was invited to become an honorary Vice President of the charity.
“I’ve seen first-hand the incredible work that SpecialEffect does, and I’m honoured to be able to contribute in this way,” said Alan Hartman. “They not only bring joy to so many, but they provide a north star for the entire gaming industry as we strive to create a level playing field for every gamer. It is a privilege to support them and I hope this auction encourages others to get involved and help support this amazing charity.”
Powering Inclusion: The Impact of SpecialEffect
Dr Mick Donegan, MBE, the Founder and CEO of SpecialEffect, expressed his gratitude: “We are incredibly grateful to Alan for this remarkable opportunity. I was fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of sitting in the car when I last met Alan on a visit to Turn 10, but this auction is not just about a stunning supercar—it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of people with physical challenges right across the world through the innovative use of technology. The core of our work is to optimise inclusion, enjoyment and quality of life by helping people control video games to the best of their abilities for as long as they need us.”
The funds raised from this auction will go directly to support SpecialEffect’s team of occupational therapists and gaming specialists in the UK. This team creates bespoke control setups for hundreds of individuals each year and develops freely-available resources and solutions to help level the playing field for gamers with physical challenges worldwide.
Alan Hartman has made this donation to establish a US-based donor-advised fund, ultimately managed by Seattle Foundation, ensuring the auction proceeds will benefit charitable causes, with SpecialEffect as a primary beneficiary.
How to Get Involved
This is more than an auction; it’s a chance to own a legend and empower gamers everywhere. For further details on how to participate in the auction for the 2017 Ford GT, visit Bring a Trailer between May 15th and May 22nd.
You may well wish to learn more about the incredible work SpecialEffect does too. Hit them up direct.
This remarkable gesture from an Xbox icon underscores the power of the gaming community to make a real-world difference. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of it!
