The silent auction list for this Saturday's Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-Off & Silent Auction just received an impressive addition, as NASCAR President Mike Helton has agreed to accompany a top bidder and guest on a half-day quail hunt at Selwood Farm Hunting Preserve in Alpine, Ala.

"We are very excited about Mike Helton agreeing to participate in this effort," said Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch. "With the addition of this hunt to our ever-growing silent auction list, it is probably an understatement to say that those participating in this event are going to have a difficult time choosing between the many items we have up for bid."

The outing with Helton is among several exclusive hunting trips with some of the biggest names in motorsports; Richard Childress, Donnie Allison, Dave Marcis, Wally Dallenbach, that will highlight the silent auction component of the Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-Off & Silent Auction set for this Saturday, Feb. 11 at Talladega Superspeedway. Other hunting trips that will be up for auction include a three-day Spring Gobbler Hunt for two at PA-KO Plantation in Midway, Ala., a trip for six on an Argentina Dove Hunt, and a two-day deer hunt at Bent Creek Lodge in West Central Alabama.

In addition to the trips to be auctioned, one of the event's many spectacular door prizes is a quail hunting trip with Lynch. Other door prizes include a Talladega Superspeedway Sunoco race flag autographed by multiple NASCAR drivers, a ticket package to attend a race at Richmond International Raceway and a hat autographed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

The event will be held in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series garage area in the track's infield, and will open at 1 p.m. with cook-off judging set at 3:30 p.m.

Judges for the competition will be The Birmingham News sportswriter Mike Bolton, Rufus T. Raspberry of "The Country Morning Crew" on Thunder 92.7 FM, AWF Executive Director and Editor of Alabama Wildlife Magazine Tim L. Gothard and Lynch.

At 4:30 p.m., spectators may sample the dozens of delectable wild game recipes prepared by the competing teams. From 1 to 4 p.m., rides will be given around the 2.66-mile track to the first 150 cook-off ticket holders who have purchased the $25 track rides in advance.

The silent auction will open at 1 p.m., featuring many unique items combining the worlds of wildlife and racing, from the hunting trips listed above to ticket packages for Martinsville Speedway and Darlington Raceway, prints by artist Larry Chandler, hunting and fishing accessories and home décor items, just to name a few. For a more detailed auction item list, please visit the event link on the Talladega Superspeedway web site at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

After the cook-off judging and sampling, everyone will be encouraged to stay into the early evening to watch the all-star Budweiser Shootout televised from Daytona International Speedway. Awards will be given to the winning cook-off teams at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets to the event are $40 per person, or $50 per couple prior to the event. To purchase tickets to the event, call Alabama Wildlife Federation at 1-800-822-9453.

All proceeds from the AWF Wild Game Cook-Off & Silent Auction will benefit AWF, the oldest and largest non-profit conservation organization in Alabama.

This statewide event will be one of the largest fundraising efforts to date for the organization. The AWF was established by sportsmen in 1935 to promote the conservation and wise use of our wildlife and natural resources and to ensure a high quality of life for future generations of Alabamians.

The organization holds wild game cook-offs throughout the state, however this will be the first time one has been held at Talladega Superspeedway.